precipitously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "precipitously" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that happens suddenly or steeply, often in a negative context, such as a rapid decline or increase. Example: "The stock prices fell precipitously after the announcement of the company's bankruptcy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although Syriza's popularity has dropped precipitously, it still enjoys unparalleled levels of support.

The Guardian

The most recent analysis – Women Play Sport, But Not on TV: A Longitudinal Study of Televised News Media – showed that in 2009 the proportion of airtime devoted to women's sports "dropped precipitously to 1.6%, by far its lowest level in any year measured over the past two decades".

The Guardian - Sport

Peas, lettuce and leeks are also falling, though not as precipitously.

The Guardian

The Lib Dem vote will fall in 2015 but how precipitously?

The Economist

A long-running survey of EMBA students by The Economist suggests that the number who have their tuition fees paid for by their employers has fallen precipitously.

The Economist

He is also signalling that he intends to govern pragmatically changing America's foreign policy by degrees, not precipitously, and focusing his energies on America's miserable economy.

The Economist

One is tempted to reject that argument given that anchoring clearly didn't work as advertised during the crisis, when expectations fell precipitously.

The Economist

(Even those puny growth rates may not have fed into higher living standards for the poorest people within those countries: income inequality in developing countries has risen precipitously over the past few decades).All this is not to say that poor countries are destined to stay in poverty.

The Economist

That is why we argued that such a radical change should not be pushed along precipitously.

The Economist

Although lobbyists for small shops argue that their number is falling precipitously, the commission found a 70% increase in the number of convenience stores between 2000 and 2006, and more than half of the new ones were independents.When a new supermarket enters an area, the watchdog found, although the number of small grocers fell, the number of bakers increased.

The Economist

In his book, for example, he conflates Social Security with Medicare and Medicaid, and describes all three as programmes that are growing precipitously as a share of the federal budget.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "precipitously" to describe a rapid and significant decline or change, often implying a sense of urgency or danger. For example, "The company's profits fell precipitously after the scandal."

Common error

Avoid using "precipitously" to describe gradual or slow changes. This adverb is best suited for situations where the change is sudden and dramatic. For example, do not say "The temperature dropped precipitously over the course of the winter"; instead, use "gradually" or "steadily".

Linguistic Context

The adverb "precipitously" primarily functions to modify verbs, indicating the manner in which an action occurs. It specifies that something happens suddenly and rapidly, often implying a steep decline or increase. Ludwig AI shows many examples where it modifies verbs like 'dropped', 'fell', and 'declined'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "precipitously" is a versatile adverb used to describe actions that occur suddenly and rapidly, often implying a steep and dramatic change. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in news and media contexts, typically to emphasize significant declines or increases. While grammatically correct, it is best reserved for situations where the change is truly abrupt and noteworthy, as it conveys a sense of urgency or alarm. Related words include "sharply", "steeply" and "rapidly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Steeply

Emphasizes the sharp angle or degree of the change.

Sharply

Focuses on the abruptness and intensity of the change.

Rapidly

Highlights the quick pace of the change or decline.

Abruptly

Stresses the sudden and unexpected nature of the event.

Suddenly

Underscores the lack of warning or anticipation.

Drastically

Conveys the significant impact or magnitude of the change.

Expeditiously

Emphasizes the efficiency and speed of the action.

Quickly

Simply indicates a fast pace.

Swiftly

Implies a prompt and decisive action.

Headlong

Suggests a rushed and perhaps reckless descent or movement.

FAQs

How can I use "precipitously" in a sentence?

"Precipitously" is used to describe something that happens very quickly and suddenly, often implying a steep decline. For example, "The stock market crashed "precipitously"."

What's a good alternative to "precipitously"?

Alternatives to "precipitously" include "sharply", "steeply", "rapidly", and "abruptly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something "increased precipitously"?

Yes, "precipitously" can describe a rapid increase as well as a rapid decrease, although it is more commonly used to describe declines. For example, "Demand for the product increased "precipitously" after the celebrity endorsement."

What is the difference between "precipitously" and "gradually"?

"Precipitously" describes a sudden and rapid change, while "gradually" describes a slow and incremental change. They are antonyms. You would say, "The company's debt increased "gradually" over several years," not "increased "precipitously"" unless the increase was very fast.