plummet to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plummet to" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a sudden and steep decrease in something, such as prices, temperatures, or numbers. For example: "The stock prices began to plummet to unprecedented lows." Alternative expressions include "drop to" and "fall to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Adrenaline rushes before a plummet to normality.

The Guardian - Sport

Or being about to plummet to your death.

The New York Times

At night, temperatures are forecast to plummet to -8C (18F).

The Guardian

But Icarus must plummet to earth; that's his job.

The New York Times - Magazine

With the end-series plummet to 7.1%, it's almost impossible to imagine them sticking with it.

The Economist

By contrast, the PAN saw its vote plummet to 28%, from 37% in 2000.

The Economist

Winds can reach 240km/h and temperatures can plummet to –35C.

Independent

Even after she started to recover, her weight continued to plummet to below seven stone.

The Guardian

This isn't to say they'll plummet to the foot of the table.

The Guardian - Sport

Eyewitnesses reported seeing a burning engine separate from the plane and plummet to earth.

The New York Times

Last year saw sea-ice levels plummet to the second-lowest since records began.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plummet to" when you want to emphasize a sudden and dramatic decrease. It's more impactful than simply saying something "decreased" or "fell".

Common error

Avoid using "plummet to" in contexts where a gradual or minor decrease is described. Reserve it for situations where the drop is significant and sudden; otherwise, consider using weaker alternatives like "decrease to" or "fall to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plummet to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a rapid and significant decrease to a specific level. As noted by Ludwig AI, this expression is considered grammatically correct, and its meaning is consistently applied across various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "plummet to" effectively conveys a sharp and significant decline, as indicated by Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples. It is grammatically sound and frequently used in news and business contexts to emphasize the dramatic nature of a decrease. While versatile, reserving "plummet to" for substantial drops prevents overuse and maintains its impact. Alternative phrases like "decline sharply to" and "fall drastically to" provide options for varying the tone and formality of your writing. Remember that accuracy is paramount when conveying quantitative data; use the term only when the decrease is not only significant but also sudden.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decline sharply to

Emphasizes the steepness of the decline, similar to "plummet" but with a slightly different tone.

fall drastically to

Focuses on the significant drop in value or amount, maintaining a strong sense of reduction.

drop rapidly to

Highlights the speed of the decrease, using a more common and less dramatic verb than "plummet".

decrease significantly to

Indicates a notable reduction, suitable for contexts where a formal tone is preferred.

sink quickly to

Conveys a sense of something losing its value or position, implying a downward movement.

descend steeply to

Suggests a sharp downward path, often used in technical or descriptive contexts.

tumble down to

Implies a loss of control during the descent, adding a sense of disorder to the reduction.

crash down to

Emphasizes the sudden and forceful nature of the decline, suggesting a more catastrophic event.

slide down to

Indicates a gradual but steady decline, lacking the abruptness of "plummet".

reduce substantially to

Highlights the magnitude of the reduction, suitable for formal or analytical discussions.

FAQs

What does "plummet to" mean?

"Plummet to" means to decrease or fall rapidly and significantly to a lower level or value. It suggests a sudden and dramatic drop.

When should I use "plummet to" instead of "decrease to"?

Use "plummet to" when you want to emphasize the sudden and dramatic nature of the decline. "Decrease to" is more neutral and suitable for gradual changes. For example, use "plummet to" for a stock market crash, and "decrease to" for a gradual reduction in sales.

What are some alternatives to "plummet to"?

You can use alternatives like "fall drastically to", "drop rapidly to", or "decline sharply to" depending on the context.

Is "plummet to" formal or informal?

"Plummet to" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally more common in news reporting and descriptive writing, where the emphasis on the dramatic decline is desired.