it was plunging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was plunging" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is rapidly descending or falling, often used in a dramatic or metaphorical context. Example: "As the storm approached, the temperature was plunging, sending shivers down everyone's spine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The key fact of the Depression was not deflation; it was plunging demand; deflation was the symptom.

The Economist

In the early stages of the Republican primary, Tim Pawlenty — a supposed thoughtful conservative — published an op-ed based on the premise that public-sector employment was booming; in fact, it was plunging.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita's government has failed to convince that Mali is actually in a very similar place to what it was when it was plunged into chaos by the Islamist occupation.

The Guardian

A caretaker government led by a high-court judge took charge of Greece on Wednesday – 10 days after it was plunged into chaos by an inconclusive poll – with the express aim of steering it to fresh elections.

The Guardian

Next, it was plunged gently in glacial acetic acid for 2 s, dried under air, and kept in oven at 80 °C for 45 s.

International Nano Letters

Mr Whyte bought the controlling shares in the Ibrox club for £1 before it was plunged into administration in February.

BBC

Before it was plunged into battle some 18 months ago, it was a thriving border city of 30,000 set in lush groves of olives and apricots.

BBC

Four microlitres of BSA-coated 10 nm colloidal gold (Sigma) was added to the grid before it was plunge-frozen into liquid ethane (Vitrobot Mark III, FEI).

Cellular Microbiology

"It became about it being plunging, which to me is just one of those distinctions of modesty that I've decided to stay on the other side of," she said.

The New York Times

His place guarding the entrance of the museum will be taken up by a blue whale skeleton, suspended from the ceiling as though it were plunging into the great hall.

Independent

Iran is not the root cause of the conflict in Yemen, and bombing the country is not "standing up to Iran"; it is plunging the country further into violence and chaos.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was plunging" to describe a sudden and dramatic decrease, especially in contexts involving numbers, quantities, or abstract concepts like demand or confidence.

Common error

While "it was plunging" can add drama, avoid using it when a simpler term like "decreasing" or "falling" is more appropriate for the situation. Overusing it can sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was plunging" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating a rapid and significant decline or descent. This type of construction typically serves to illustrate a state of change, as Ludwig AI shows. The auxiliary verb "was" locates the action in the past.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was plunging" effectively describes a rapid and substantial decrease. Ludwig AI shows that it's commonly used in contexts like News & Media and Science, conveying a sense of urgency or concern about something declining quickly. While grammatically correct and widely understandable, consider using it judiciously to avoid sounding overly dramatic. Alternatives like "it was declining" or "it was dropping" might be more appropriate in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was plummeting rapidly

Implies a very fast and forceful fall.

it was rapidly declining

Emphasizes the speed and continuous nature of the decline.

it was sharply decreasing

Highlights the steepness of the decrease.

it was falling quickly

A more straightforward way of expressing a fast descent.

it was dramatically dropping

Conveys a sense of impactful and sudden reduction.

it was steeply descending

Focuses on the angle and speed of descent.

it was taking a nosedive

An idiomatic expression for a sudden and rapid fall, often used in financial contexts.

it was going downhill fast

Idiomatic and emphasizes the speed and negative direction.

it was cascading down

Suggests a waterfall-like descent, emphasizing volume and speed.

it was spiraling downward

Emphasizes a circular, uncontrolled descent.

FAQs

How can I use "it was plunging" in a sentence?

Use "it was plunging" to describe a rapid and significant decrease. For example, "The stock market was unstable, and investor confidence "was plunging"."

What are some alternatives to "it was plunging"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "it was declining", "it was dropping", or "it was plummeting".

Is "it was plunging" suitable for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "it was plunging" might be perceived as slightly less formal than alternatives like "it was decreasing". Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

When should I use "it was plunging" instead of "it was falling"?

"It was plunging" implies a more rapid and dramatic fall than "it was falling". Use "it was plunging" when you want to emphasize the speed and severity of the decrease.