plummeting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plummeting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a rapid and significant decrease in something, such as prices, temperatures, or performance. Example: "The stock market has been plummeting for the past week, causing concern among investors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All of this means that the plummeting rouble is likely to have a disastrous effect on everyone, not just the lucky few who have become accustomed to weekending in the south of France.

The Guardian

Villa then embarked on a wretched run of two wins in 21 matches, plummeting down the table and stinking the place out with a strain of football that yielded an average of less than half a goal per Premier League game.

The Guardian - Sport

Hodge said: "It may need to put in additional resources … to avoid the kind of plummeting performance we have seen in the past".

The Guardian

Meanwhile, plummeting demand has prompted Asda to pull string vests, once a staple male undergarment, from its shelves.

The Guardian - Opinion

Fears of the effects on health and plummeting house prices compete with the promise of jobs and money for communities, accompanied by accusations of misinformation and hysteria from both sides.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, public sector unions are reporting deepening resentment, plummeting morale, mounting workloads and higher levels of stress and illness among staff who are complaining of increasing inspection and bureaucracy.

The Guardian

In Britain, we have a record number of jobs but plummeting real wages.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are still a few around who remember those days when what happened at Westminster actually mattered, when the fate of Britain depended on a vote, and the prospect of a parliamentary defeat sent the pound plummeting and economies across the world reeling.

The Guardian

"With wages turning higher, the Fed can justify ignoring the plummeting headline inflation rate, and instead, focus more on core inflation and wages.

The Guardian - Business

Clegg claimed "wild predictions" about plummeting student numbers, slashed university places and thousands of Britain's young people unable to go to university had not only failed to materialise, but proved to be the opposite of the truth.

The Guardian

The region is afire and oil prices are plummeting.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plummeting" to illustrate dramatic changes, especially when you want to evoke a sense of urgency or alarm.

Common error

While "plummeting" is widely accepted, it can sound slightly informal in some academic or business reports. Consider alternatives like "declining rapidly" or "falling sharply" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "plummeting" is that of a verb, specifically as a present participle or gerund. It describes an action of falling rapidly and significantly, often used to emphasize the speed and severity of the decline, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plummeting" is a versatile verb form that effectively conveys a rapid and significant decline. As validated by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it's commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and business. While alternatives like "falling sharply" or "declining rapidly" exist, "plummeting" emphasizes the suddenness and severity of the drop. When using "plummeting", be mindful of the intended tone and audience, opting for more formal synonyms in academic or highly professional settings. This guide provides best practices, common errors to avoid, and answers to frequently asked questions to help you use "plummeting" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plunging

Similar to "plummeting" but may imply a more forceful or dramatic fall.

dropping sharply

Focuses on the speed of the decrease rather than the extent of the fall.

declining rapidly

Emphasizes a quick downturn but can apply to a broader range of situations.

falling drastically

Highlights the severity of the fall, implying a significant reduction.

nosediving

Implies a sudden, steep fall, often used metaphorically for prices or performance.

collapsing

Suggests a complete and sudden failure or breakdown.

tanking

Informal term for a rapid and severe drop, especially in financial contexts.

spiraling downward

Emphasizes a continuous, worsening decline.

taking a nosedive

Implies a rapid and uncontrolled fall, especially in performance or value.

descending rapidly

More formal and literal, simply indicating a quick downward movement.

FAQs

How can I use "plummeting" in a sentence?

You can use "plummeting" to describe a rapid and significant decrease. For example, "The company's profits are "plummeting" due to increased competition".

What's the difference between "plummeting" and "declining rapidly"?

"Plummeting" suggests a more sudden and dramatic drop than "declining rapidly". Use "plummeting" when you want to emphasize the speed and severity of the decrease.

What can I say instead of "plummeting"?

You can use alternatives like "falling sharply", "dropping drastically", or "nosediving" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "plummeting" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "plummeting" might sound less formal than alternatives like "decreasing significantly" or "declining steeply" in highly formal contexts.