reaching a trough of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reaching a trough of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation in which something has been declining and is now at its lowest possible point. For example, "The stock market had been steadily dropping for months until it reached a trough of just over 4,000 points."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

After then reaching a trough of 1.1% in early 2011, consumer prices would rise again to exceed 2% in 2012.

Forbes

Of 13 patients screened one patient, a 46 year old man with PAI and no other comorbidities, had nocturnal hypoglycaemia of approximately one hour duration reaching a trough of 2.6 mmol/L.

BMC Endocrine Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The percentage of HCS was high during the night and started to decline from ~0500 h reaching a trough in HCS at the time of vaccination (0930 h).

Animal

In Nevada, the caseload has grown 34percentt since reaching a trough last year.

The New York Times

Over all, inflation was projected at 0.4percentt in the euro area in 2009, reaching a trough in the third quarter.

The New York Times

To reach a trough level of around 8 g/L he required a high dosage of IVIG of 1.2 g/kg [ 5].

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

First, the current deep and protracted U-shaped recession in the U.S. and other advanced economies will continue through all of 2009, rather than reach a trough in the middle of this year as expected by the optimists.

Forbes

Stryker : The medical device and implant manufacturer has seen its shares in need of more than one of its own implants recently, having reached a trough at $30.96.

Forbes

Disposals delivering the lion's share of refinancing needs would be the key factor dictating whether we have reached a trough in the stock.

The Guardian - Business

Goldman Sachs, for instance, reckons that global economic activity will reach a trough in the present quarter.

The Economist

New figures suggest that the euro area economies reached a trough late last year.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a trend or cycle, use "reaching a trough of" to indicate the lowest point before a potential recovery or increase.

Common error

Avoid using "reaching a trough of" when describing a generally positive trend; this phrase is most appropriate for negative or cyclical patterns hitting a low point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reaching a trough of" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically acting as a descriptor indicating the lowest point achieved in a fluctuating process or trend. Ludwig shows its use in both scientific and economic contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reaching a trough of" effectively conveys the idea of attaining the lowest point in a cycle or trend. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically sound and suitable for analytical or descriptive contexts, especially in science and news media. While not overly common, it provides a specific and precise way to describe a bottoming-out scenario, often implying the potential for future recovery. The related phrases offer alternatives for emphasizing different aspects of this low point, whether it's the act of hitting bottom or the anticipation of a rise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hitting a low point of

Focuses on the achievement of the lowest level, similar to reaching a trough.

bottoming out at

Emphasizes the action of hitting the lowest possible point and stabilizing there.

declining to a nadir of

Uses more formal language to describe reaching the lowest point.

descending to a minimum of

Focuses on the decrease leading to the lowest point.

arriving at the lowest level of

Highlights the arrival or attainment of the minimum level.

touching the lowest point of

Emphasizes briefly reaching the minimum before a potential rise.

sinking to a bottom of

Emphasizes the process of sinking or decline.

plunging to a low of

Suggests a rapid and significant drop to the lowest point.

falling to a valley of

Metaphorically uses "valley" to represent the lowest point in a graphical sense.

dropping to the floor of

Implies a complete and possibly irreversible descent to the lowest level.

FAQs

How can I use "reaching a trough of" in a sentence?

You can use "reaching a trough of" to describe the lowest point in a cycle, such as "The economy is expected to recover after "reaching a trough of" unemployment".

What are some alternatives to "reaching a trough of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "hitting a low point of", "bottoming out at", or "declining to a nadir of", each emphasizing the achievement of a minimum level.

Is it appropriate to use "reaching a trough of" in formal writing?

Yes, "reaching a trough of" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing trends in economics, science, or other analytical contexts. However, consider the specific tone and audience to ensure it fits the overall style.

What does "reaching a trough of" imply about future trends?

"Reaching a trough of" suggests that a decline has reached its lowest point and that a potential increase or recovery may follow. It doesn't guarantee an upward trend, but implies the downward trend has likely stopped.