modest decline

USAGE SUMMARY

"modest decline" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a decrease or decrease in something that is not significant or drastic. Example: The company's profits saw a modest decline in the third quarter, but overall, they are still performing well.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bad Modest decline in vote share.

The Guardian

New contracts and cost cutting have offset what the company calls "a modest decline in revenue".

The Guardian - Business

Most forecasters have predicted a modest decline in orders and deliveries of business jets this year.

The New York Times

However, the group said it continued to expect a "modest decline" in profits for the year.

The Guardian - Business

The consensus market forecast had been for a much more modest decline of 1.9percentt.

The New York Times

With currency concerns it said it expected a modest decline in full year earnings per share.

The Guardian - Business

After all, even the comparison between 2006 and 2009 shows a modest decline in England's performance.

The Guardian

Indeed, the recent modest decline in marriage continues a 30-year trend.

The New York Times

The modest decline suggests that higher mortgage rates have yet to slow sales sharply.

The New York Times

The consensus forecast among economists had been for a more modest decline to 52.6.

The New York Times

"It's a very modest decline at this point, no greater than anyone who's 84".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a financial or economic situation, use "modest decline" to temper concerns and avoid overly alarming language. For example: "The company experienced a "modest decline" in profits, but remains optimistic about future growth."

Common error

Avoid using stronger terms like "significant drop" or "drastic fall" when a "modest decline" is more accurate. Inflating the severity can misrepresent the true situation and damage credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest decline" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates its use to describe a slight decrease or reduction, as illustrated in various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "modest decline" is a commonly used phrase to describe a slight decrease or reduction, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, including news, science, and business. While interchangeable with alternatives like "slight decrease" or "small reduction", it carries a specific nuance of downplaying severity. The phrase is best used when accurately portraying a minor decrease and avoiding exaggeration, as noted in the writing guidance. Its prevalence across authoritative sources underscores its reliability and appropriateness in formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight decrease

Replaces "decline" with "decrease", emphasizing the small nature of the reduction.

small reduction

Uses "reduction" instead of "decline", highlighting the diminished quantity or amount.

marginal decrease

Substitutes "modest" with "marginal", suggesting a minimal or barely perceptible decline.

minor downturn

Replaces "decline" with "downturn", implying a slight downward trend or dip.

gentle decrease

Emphasizes the gradual and non-abrupt nature of the decline.

limited reduction

Highlights the constrained or restricted scope of the decrease.

small dip

Uses a more informal term, "dip", to indicate a brief and shallow decline.

slight contraction

Replaces "decline" with "contraction", suggesting a shrinking or reduction in size or scope.

tempered decrease

Uses "tempered" to describe a less severe or controlled decrease.

controlled reduction

Emphasizes that the reduction is managed or deliberate, suggesting less volatility.

FAQs

How can I use "modest decline" in a sentence?

You can use "modest decline" to describe a slight decrease or reduction in something. For example: "There was a "modest decline" in sales this quarter," or "The survey showed a "modest decline" in consumer confidence."

What are some alternatives to "modest decline"?

Alternatives include "slight decrease", "small reduction", or "marginal decrease". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "modest decline" or "slight decrease"?

Both "modest decline" and "slight decrease" are acceptable and convey a similar meaning. "Modest decline" might be slightly more formal, while "slight decrease" is more neutral. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

What does "modest decline" imply about the situation?

Using "modest decline" suggests that while there has been a decrease, it is not substantial or alarming. It implies that the situation is still relatively stable and does not warrant immediate or drastic action.