ongoing decline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ongoing decline" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a continuous decrease or deterioration in a particular situation, condition, or metric over time. Example: "The company has been experiencing an ongoing decline in sales for the past three quarters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Current policy interventions are having limited success in addressing the ongoing decline in global biodiversity.

Journal of Environmental Management

Fox must satisfy investors who are nervous about the ongoing decline of the newspaper industry.

The Guardian

The BPI's annual figures also underline the ongoing decline of the CD.

The Guardian - Business

Ticket prices climb year-on-year and mask the ongoing decline in admissions that started in the late 1940s.

The Guardian - Film

Analysts, however, remain concerned that Sun's costs are too high given current economic conditions and the ongoing decline in sales.

The New York Times - Tech

Both extremely rare species and more common ones experiencing ongoing decline may be at risk of extinction.

Fungal Ecology

Agri-environment schemes have been established in many European countries to counteract the ongoing decline of farmland birds.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

The ongoing decline in marijuana's price after legalization has an important implication for drug policy more generally.

The Washington Post

A number of scholars and pundits have been sounding the alarm over the ongoing decline of military veterans in Congress.

The Washington Post

However, as I've already suggested, this simply caps off an ongoing decline in Heritage's reputation for intellectual autonomy.

The Economist

Second, the ongoing decline in the labor-force participation rate (LFPR) must not only slow down but stop.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ongoing decline" when you want to emphasize that a negative trend is currently happening and has been happening for some time. For example, "The sector is experiencing an "ongoing decline" in investment."

Common error

While "ongoing decline" is appropriate to describe continuous negative trends, overuse in close proximity can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "steady decline" or "persistent decline" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ongoing decline" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a continuous process of reduction or deterioration. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

12%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ongoing decline" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a continuous decrease or deterioration. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the examples demonstrate its broad applicability across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While the phrase is widely used, it's important to be mindful of potential redundancy and to consider using synonyms to add variety to your writing. In summary, "ongoing decline" is a useful phrase for highlighting negative trends, but should be used thoughtfully and precisely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ongoing reduction

A direct synonym using "reduction" instead of "decline".

continuous decline

Similar to "ongoing", stressing uninterrupted decrease.

constant decline

Highlights the unvarying nature of the decrease.

persistent decline

Highlights the continuation of the decline despite efforts to stop it.

steady decline

Emphasizes the consistency of the decrease.

further decline

Indicates a continuation of a previously observed decline.

permanent decline

Implies the decline is irreversible.

ongoing diminution

Uses a more formal term for reduction.

regular decline

Suggests a patterned or predictable decrease.

perennial decline

Suggests the decline recurs regularly.

FAQs

What does "ongoing decline" mean?

The phrase "ongoing decline" describes a situation where something is continuously decreasing or deteriorating over a period of time. It suggests that the decline is not just a one-time event, but a process that is currently in progress.

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

You can use "ongoing decline" to describe various situations, such as: "The company is facing an "ongoing decline" in profits due to increased competition" or "The "ongoing decline" in bee populations is a serious environmental concern".

What are some alternatives to "ongoing decline"?

Some alternatives to "ongoing decline" include "steady decline", "continuous decline", "persistent decline", or "gradual decrease". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "ongoing decline"?

While "decline" inherently implies a downward trend, "ongoing" emphasizes that this trend is still in progress and has been happening for a while. While not strictly redundant, consider if the "ongoing" adds meaningful emphasis to your sentence. Sometimes "decline" alone may be sufficient.