progress downward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "progress downward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is moving or changing in a negative or declining direction. Example: "The company's profits have shown a consistent progress downward over the last few quarters."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The resulting common bile duct progresses downward through the head of the pancreas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A harmless scamp when first encountered, he progresses downward to a nebbishy sitcom hubby, shrugging in helpless awe at how bright the little woman can be.

The New York Times

The antiviral landscape can be viewed as a hierarchy of complexity, beginning at the whole organism level and progressing downward to isolated tissues, populations of cells, and single cells.

Virus Research

"I think people are progressing downward in terms of screen size," he says.

Forbes

Time progresses downward in (A ) and (B ).

eLife

Midwives noticed the fetus was not progressing downward even though they could see the other findings were progressing well based on the standard.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

In the center of the display is a progress bar the researcher can advance downward toward a 'finish line' after each task is completed.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

However basketball jerseys on middle-aged fanatics are sartorially profane as our hair moves progressively downward whilst our musculature transforms into fat as the years progress.

HuffPost

Alas, the Case Study Houses program progressed inexorably downward, from the lyrical early designs of Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Richard Neutra, Raphael Soriano and Craig Ellwood to the static late schemes by Killingsworth, Brady & Smith and Buff & Hensman.

The New York Times - Books

The European auto market has been in retreat since the financial crisis, the downward progress halted at times only by the temporary stimulus of government cash-for-clunker programs, in which owners receive tax rebates in exchange for trading in older cars.

The New York Times

However, that downward progress towards the government's target of 2.0% slowed in June, when inflation fell to 2.4% rather than the 2.3% expected by the markets.Indeed, the more the City delved into the numbers the less they liked the look of them.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "progress downward", ensure the context clearly indicates a negative trend or decline. Avoid redundancy by choosing a single word like "decline" if it sufficiently conveys the meaning.

Common error

Be aware that "progress" generally has a positive connotation. Using "progress downward" can create an unintended sense of irony or contradiction if not carefully contextualized.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "progress downward" functions as a verb phrase with an adverb, indicating a dynamic process moving in a negative direction. It describes how something is changing over time, specifically in a declining manner. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

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Wiki

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "progress downward" is a grammatically correct way to describe a decline or worsening condition over time. While Ludwig AI states that it is usable, its relatively uncommon usage may make it sound slightly formal or unusual. It's important to consider the potential for unintended irony because "progress" typically implies positive change. Consider using simpler and more common alternatives like "decline" or "deteriorate" depending on the intended nuance. Due to the lack of instances in the search data, the usage patterns and authoritative sources are extrapolated based on related terms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decline

Single-word substitute implying a downturn or weakening.

regress

Implies a return to a previous, usually worse, state.

deteriorate

Focuses on the worsening of a condition or situation.

descend

Suggests a movement to a lower level or state.

fall

A general term for a decrease in amount, quality, or status.

slump

Implies a sudden and significant decline.

wane

Suggests a gradual decrease in power, influence, or intensity.

ebb

Similar to wane, often used in contexts of tides or emotions.

slide

Implies a gradual and often unwanted decline.

plummet

Indicates a rapid and steep drop.

FAQs

How can I use "progress downward" in a sentence?

Use "progress downward" to describe a negative trend or decline. For example, "The company's profits showed a consistent "decline"." Ensure the context clearly signals a downturn.

What alternatives can I use instead of "progress downward"?

Consider alternatives like "deteriorate", "decline", or "regress" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Each of these words emphasizes different aspects of a negative change.

Is it grammatically correct to say "progress downward"?

Yes, "progress downward" is grammatically correct, although it might sound unusual to some because "progress" often has a positive connotation. Be mindful of the potential for unintended irony or contradiction.

What is the difference between "progress downward" and "downward trend"?

"Progress downward" emphasizes the process of something declining, while "downward trend" refers to the pattern or direction of change. The phrase "downward trend" is frequently utilized.