keep declining

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep declining" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something is continuing to get worse or decrease. For example, "Despite all our efforts, our sales have kept declining this quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

For the sake of the union, Mr Cameron should keep declining the invitation.

The Economist

So if pollinators keep declining, the shortage may eventually have an impact.

The New York Times - Science

Mr. Flickinger says he expects Wal-Mart's same-store sales to keep declining in the coming months.

The New York Times

But if stocks and bonds keep declining, doubts about the Fed's withdrawal could deepen, leading to a situation in which even the real economy suffers.

The New York Times

A major reason is that prices keep declining - a 32-inch flat panel can now be had for just over $300 £1855), which is about what old tube TVs used to cost.

Independent

While they think prices will keep declining, potential purchasers especially first-time buyers will hold off, waiting for better deals, says Fionnuala Earley, an economist at Nationwide Building Society, also headquartered in Swindon.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

He kept declining.

The New York Times - Sports

Some still wonder why voter turnout keeps declining.

The New York Times - Magazine

In fact, private or business investment kept declining in the '80s and after.

The New York Times

"Their average age would be over 60, which is one of the reasons their membership keeps declining -- they keep dying".

The New York Times

Occasionally, he tried to invite her out for dinner or drinks with friends, but she kept declining.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep declining" to clearly convey a continuing downward trend, especially when referring to quantifiable metrics like sales, prices, or performance indicators.

Common error

While "keep declining" is acceptable, overuse in formal reports can sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "continue to decrease" or "sustain a downward trend" to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep declining" functions as a verb phrase indicating a continuous or ongoing action. As Ludwig AI points out, it emphasizes that something is continuously worsening or decreasing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep declining" is a correct and commonly used phrase to describe a continuing downward trend. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in written English. It's most frequently used in News & Media to report on negative trends, and while versatile, should be used judiciously in formal writing. Consider varying your language with synonyms such as "continue to decrease" or "remain in decline" to maintain clarity and engagement. Remember that "keep declining" highlights persistence over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to decrease

Replaces "keep" with "continue" and "declining" with "decrease", maintaining the core meaning of ongoing reduction.

persist in falling

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the decline, replacing "declining" with "falling".

remain in decline

Shifts the focus to the state of decline rather than the action, using "remain" to indicate continuation.

sustain a downward trend

Highlights the trend of decline, replacing "keep declining" with a more formal expression.

go on diminishing

Uses "go on" instead of "keep" and "diminishing" as a synonym for "declining", both indicating ongoing reduction.

deteriorate steadily

Focuses on the negative aspect of declining, suggesting a gradual worsening.

slide continuously

Emphasizes the gradual and uninterrupted nature of the decline, using "slide" as a more evocative term.

consistently lessen

Highlights the consistent reduction, replacing "declining" with "lessen".

progressively recede

Indicates a gradual withdrawal or decrease, using "recede" to suggest a more distant decline.

depreciate further

Focuses on the decrease in value, using "depreciate" to emphasize the loss.

FAQs

How can I use "keep declining" in a sentence?

You can use "keep declining" to describe a continuous downward trend. For example, "The company's profits "keep declining" despite efforts to improve sales."

What are some alternatives to "keep declining"?

Alternatives include "continue to decrease", "remain in decline", or "deteriorate steadily" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "keep declining"?

Yes, "keep declining" is grammatically correct. It uses "keep" as an auxiliary verb to indicate the continuous nature of the action "declining".

What's the difference between "keep declining" and "decline continuously"?

"Keep declining" emphasizes the ongoing nature of the decline, while "decline continuously" focuses more on the uninterrupted aspect of the decrease. The difference is subtle, but "keep declining" might suggest a longer period or a more persistent trend.