level off

USAGE SUMMARY

"level off" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to mean that something which had been increasing or decreasing in some way has stopped increasing or decreasing and has reached a certain point or level. For example: "The temperature had been rising steadily, but it levelled off at 70 degrees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Might it level off?

The Guardian - Tech

"It'll level off somewhere," Navratilova said.

The New York Times - Sports

Corn appeared to level off.

The New York Times

Maybe the problems will level off.

The Guardian

Then it would level off and commence re-entry.

The New York Times

By 1997, however, Nike's footwear sales began to level off.

The New York Times

But sales began to level off last March.

The New York Times

(We hear the engines roar and then level off).

The New Yorker

Unemployment was expected to level off at about 5% nationally.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It then seemed to level off as the economy recovered.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

There was inadequate information about how much wearing time is needed until effect level-off.

British Journal of Ophthalmology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or data, use "level off" to indicate a point where a previous increase or decrease has stopped, and the value remains relatively constant. For example: "After a sharp increase in sales, growth began to "level off" in the second quarter."

Common error

Avoid using "level off" when you actually mean a decrease or decline. "Level off" indicates a stabilization, not a downward trend. If something is decreasing, use words like "decline", "decrease", or "drop" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "level off" functions as a verb phrase, typically used intransitively. Ludwig AI provides examples showing its role in describing a cessation of increase or decrease, indicating a stabilization or plateau in a trend or process. It implies a transition from a dynamic state to a static one.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "level off" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the stabilization of a previously increasing or decreasing trend. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, from news and media to science and business. While alternatives like "stabilize" or "plateau" exist, it's crucial to avoid confusing it with terms indicating a decline. Whether you're discussing economic growth, scientific data, or sports performance, "level off" provides a concise way to communicate that a state of equilibrium has been reached.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stabilize

This single word conveys a similar meaning of becoming stable, but lacks the nuance of a prior period of increase or decrease.

reach a plateau

This phrase focuses on the idea of reaching a point where progress stops, emphasizing the horizontal aspect of the leveling.

hold steady

Focuses on maintaining the current level and removing the implication of previous variation

become constant

This phrase suggests a state of unchanging continuation, removing the dynamic of a preceding rise or fall.

reach a steady state

This phrase is more technical and emphasizes the establishment of a condition with no net change.

find equilibrium

This implies a balance of opposing forces that results in a stable state, adding a layer of complexity.

cease fluctuating

This phrase directly addresses the cessation of up and down movement, highlighting the end of oscillation.

flatline

This term can imply a complete stop, especially when discussing data or vital signs, carrying a more dramatic tone.

remain steady

This emphasizes the continuation of a stable condition, with a weaker sense of prior change.

settle down

This offers a more casual expression of achieving stability, fitting less formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "level off" in a sentence?

You can use "level off" to describe when something stops increasing or decreasing and becomes stable, such as "After rising sharply, the stock price began to "level off"".

What's a more formal way to say "level off"?

A more formal alternative to "level off" could be "stabilize" or "reach equilibrium", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "leveled off" or "levelled off"?

Both "leveled off" and "levelled off" are correct past tense forms of "level off", with "leveled off" being more common in American English and "levelled off" in British English.

What's the difference between "level off" and "decline"?

"Level off" means to stop rising or falling and become stable, while "decline" means to decrease or go down. For example, "Sales began to "level off" after a peak", but "Profits "declined" due to higher costs".