persist in declining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "persist in declining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who continues to refuse or reject something over time. Example: "Despite numerous offers, she continues to persist in declining any invitations to join the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

They persist, in declining density, for a year or more after successful eradication.

Helicobacter

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

One OPEC official predicted that in the next few weeks oil prices would continue to decline, and Iraq's oil minister forecast that the decline would persist in coming months.

The New York Times

One OPEC official predicted that in the next few weeks, oil prices would continue to decline, and Iraq's oil minister, Amer Mohammed Rasheed, forecast that the decline would persist in coming months.

The New York Times

"That may happen several months from now, but very sharp employment declines should persist in the near term, and represent a threat to psychology," Wieting said.

Forbes

The motivation and justification for investigating 'costs of resistance' are typically to gain insight into the likelihood that resistance will persist or decline in the absence of antibiotics.

Evolutionary Applications

20 These agents have been chosen for their long half-lives (TDF: >60 hours, FTC: ~40 hours), allowing them to persist in tissues long after extracellular concentrations decline.

HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care

However, the paper suggests that even when climate change causes large range declines, some species can persist in human-modified areas.

University of California, Berkeley

First, although endogenous mammalian cardiac regeneration clearly seems to decline rapidly after birth, it may still persist in adulthood.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

While smoking rates have declined over the past decade, socioeconomic inequalities in smoking persist in high income countries [ 1- 4].

BMC Public Health

Consistent with previous reports, we have demonstrated greater thymic function in females 28 and an age-associated decline in healthy controls, 29 findings that persist in JIA.

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

"Case incidence is declining in some districts in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, while steep rises persist in other districts," the UN agency said in a statement.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "persist in declining" when you want to emphasize the ongoing and often stubborn nature of refusing something. It adds a layer of determination to the act of refusal.

Common error

Avoid using "persist in declining" in situations where a simple refusal is sufficient. The phrase implies a strong and continuous unwillingness, which may be too forceful for everyday scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "persist in declining" functions as a verb phrase indicating the continuous action of refusing or rejecting something. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of the refusal, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "persist in declining" is a grammatically sound phrase that effectively conveys a continued refusal or rejection. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While it isn't overly common, it is appropriate for formal and neutral contexts where emphasizing the ongoing nature of the refusal is important. Alternatives like "continue to refuse" or "remain unwilling to accept" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure it fits the intended tone and level of forcefulness. Ludwig's examples highlight its presence in various domains, including science and news, showcasing its versatility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persistently reject

Direct synonym, replacing "decline" with "reject".

continue to refuse

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the refusal, removing the 'persist' element.

keep refusing

A simpler, more direct way to express continued refusal.

remain unwilling to accept

Highlights a lack of willingness and acceptance instead of persistence.

repeatedly decline

Highlights the repetition of the declining action.

insist on rejecting

Focuses on the insistence and act of rejection.

continue to turn down

Uses the phrasal verb 'turn down' to indicate rejection.

steadfastly refuse

Emphasizes the firm and unwavering nature of the refusal.

unwaveringly reject

Stresses the lack of wavering in the act of rejection.

stand firm in refusal

Focuses on the resolute stance taken in refusing something.

FAQs

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

You can use "persist in declining" to describe someone or something that continues to refuse or reject something over a period of time. For example: "Despite numerous offers, she continues to "persist in declining" any invitations to join the committee."

What are some alternatives to "persist in declining"?

Alternatives include "continue to refuse", "remain unwilling to accept", or "insist on rejecting", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "persist in declining" in formal writing?

Yes, "persist in declining" is grammatically correct and can be used in formal writing, although it's important to ensure the tone and level of emphasis are appropriate for the situation. Consider alternatives if a more neutral tone is desired.

What's the difference between "persist in declining" and "simply decline"?

"Persist in declining" suggests an ongoing or repeated refusal, often implying some level of resistance or determination. "Simply decline"/s/simply+decline, on the other hand, is a more neutral and straightforward way to express refusal without necessarily implying persistence.