negative trajectory

USAGE SUMMARY

"negative trajectory" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about a downward trend or decline in something. For example, "Despite our best efforts, the company has experienced a negative trajectory in sales over the past six months."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

In China and Indonesia, their negative trajectory is getting worse.

Harvard Business Review

Neither scenario, however, offers a way to reverse this negative trajectory in U.S.-Russia relations.

The New Yorker

"If this is where clinical research is headed, that would be a terrible negative trajectory," he said.

The New York Times

It said Russia had "continued a negative trajectory" in domestic rights matters and accused Zimbabwe of a campaign of terror against the government's political opponents that has led to the torture, disappearance or death of hundreds.

The New York Times

When determining bonuses, the committee "considered the wider performance of the group and agreed management has reversed the negative trajectory and were making strong progress in delivering the turnaround plan.

The Guardian - Business

Extensive degradation from coastal development1, reduced sediment delivery from major rivers8,9, sinking of riverine deltas8,10, increased coastal erosion and sea-level rise11 signal a continuing negative trajectory for tidal flat ecosystems around the world.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"There are positive and negative trajectories moving side by side," he said of the president.

The New York Times

21 Neutral and mixed trajectories were inherently more variable than positive and negative trajectories.

BMJ Open

Therefore, self-reported childhood symptoms by prison inmates seem more in line with their negative trajectories across time.

BMC Psychiatry

Participants assigned to HF (n=28) were generally classified as positive or mixed trajectories; those assigned to TAU (n=15) were generally classified as neutral or negative trajectories.

BMJ Open

Narratives from participants assigned to HF were predominantly classified as positive trajectories; no HF participants' narratives were classified as negative trajectories.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To increase clarity, specify what is experiencing the negative trajectory. For example, instead of saying "the trajectory is negative," say "the company's sales trajectory is negative."

Common error

Avoid using "negative trajectory" when describing abstract or non-quantifiable concepts. "Trajectory" implies a measurable path or direction; if there's no clear metric, a phrase like "downward trend" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "negative trajectory" functions as a descriptive term, typically modifying a noun to indicate a downward or declining trend. It's often used to characterize the direction or path of something over time, as seen in Ludwig AI examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "negative trajectory" is a grammatically sound and commonly used term to describe a downward or declining trend. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, including science, news, and business. While versatile, it's best suited for describing measurable declines and should be used with specificity. Remember to consider alternative phrases like "downward trend" or "declining path" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

downward trend

Replaces "trajectory" with a more common synonym, focusing on the direction of the trend.

declining path

Substitutes both "negative" and "trajectory" with simpler terms, emphasizing a route or course that is decreasing.

deteriorating course

Uses a stronger verb to highlight the worsening nature of the situation, shifting focus from direction to condition.

adverse trend

Employs "adverse" as a more formal synonym for "negative", maintaining a similar level of formality.

unfavorable direction

Replaces "negative" and "trajectory" with more common alternatives, maintaining a clear sense of unwanted movement.

downward spiral

Implies a self-reinforcing decline, suggesting the situation is worsening at an accelerating rate.

descending slope

Uses a visual metaphor to describe the decline, highlighting the steepness of the fall.

collapsing trend

Emphasizes the severity of the decline, suggesting a sudden and significant drop.

regressive pattern

Focuses on the backward movement, suggesting a return to a less desirable state.

slipping decline

Implies a gradual and uncontrolled descent, highlighting a loss of stability.

FAQs

How can I use "negative trajectory" in a sentence?

You can use "negative trajectory" to describe a declining trend in various contexts. For example: "The patient's health is on a "negative trajectory" despite treatment" or "The company's profits have been on a "negative trajectory" this quarter".

What are some alternatives to "negative trajectory"?

Some alternatives to "negative trajectory" include "downward trend", "declining path", or "deteriorating course", depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "negative trajectory"?

While grammatically correct, "negative trajectory" is most suitable when describing measurable declines or trends. In more abstract contexts, consider using alternatives like "unfavorable direction" or "adverse trend".

What does "negative trajectory" imply?

"Negative trajectory" implies a downward or declining trend, suggesting that something is moving away from a desirable state or outcome. It indicates a path that is leading to a less favorable situation.