receded down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "receded down" is not correct and is generally not usable in written English.
The word "receded" already implies moving back or away, so adding "down" is redundant. Example: "The floodwaters receded after the heavy rain stopped."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

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Lingua Sinica

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Lingua Sinica

By that time, Kiedis's cast had receded down to the elbow and he felt well enough to play.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Although we do not have exact observations of how magmas drain back after lava effusion, we assume that the vesiculated magma in the conduit may recede down the conduit due to its weight.

Earth, Planets and Space

This, aside from causing constant, intense pain, had caused my chin to recede down and back into my face, leaving me with a completely "open" bite in which none of my teeth touched except my molars, as well as a distorted facial appearance.

Huffington Post

A car passes and the lights recede down the long straight and fade out.

The New Yorker

But today the crust on the protected area — it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places — is receding, down to just a few inches in some areas.

The New York Times

For a few seconds after the door swings shut, all that is left of him is the sound of his footsteps receding down the corridor and the faintest vapour trail of an unsuppressed giggle.

The Guardian - Film

Behind the big glass windows of its storefront on West Palisade Avenue here, 1,200 square feet of hammers and pails, duct tape and touch-up paint, sandpaper and snow shovels recede down the narrow isles and up pegboard-covered walls.

The New York Times

Following a global outbreak of handwringing as the scale of the match fixing issues in football and cricket became clear amid a blizzard of headlines, integrity issues appear to have receded back down the priority list.

The Guardian - Sport

Tantalus, after all, was the son of Zeus, whose hubris was punished with an eternal state of unquenched desire, as he stood knee-deep in waters that receded whenever he bowed down to drink, with fruit hanging overhead that moved out of reach whenever he tried to grasp it.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific nuance you want to convey. If downward motion is crucial, rephrase using stronger verbs like "plummeted" or "descended".

Common error

Avoid using "down" after "receded" unless you are specifically emphasizing a downward direction that isn't already implied by the verb itself. For example, instead of "the waters receded down the slope", try "the waters receded, revealing the slope".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "receded down" functions as a verb phrase, typically describing the action of something moving back or away, often implying a decrease or reduction. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, the addition of "down" can be redundant.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "receded down" is used to describe something moving back or away, often implying a decrease. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is often considered grammatically incorrect due to the redundancy of "down", since "receded" already implies a backward or downward motion. While example usages can be found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it's advisable to use simply "receded" or, if the downward direction needs emphasis, rephrase the sentence using alternatives such as "moved back", "fell", or "went down".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

receded

Uses the base verb without the redundant "down", making it grammatically sound.

moved back

A simpler alternative emphasizing the backward movement.

retreated

Implies a withdrawal or backward movement, similar to "receded", but lacks the emphasis on vertical direction.

diminished

Focuses on the reduction in size, extent, or degree, omitting the directional aspect.

subsided

Suggests a calming down or settling, typically used for things like emotions or water levels.

dwindled

Indicates a gradual decrease or reduction over time, without specifying direction.

went down

Focuses on the lowering aspect, omitting the receding nuance.

ebbed

Specifically refers to the receding of the tide or a similar outward flow.

fell

Implies a drop in level or amount, focusing on the downward movement.

sank

Suggests a descent or submergence, often used for objects disappearing below a surface.

FAQs

Is "receded down" grammatically correct?

While sometimes used, "receded down" is often considered redundant because the verb "receded" already implies movement back or away. Using just "receded" is often clearer and more concise.

What does it mean when something has "receded"?

To "recede" means to go or move back or further away from a previous position. It can refer to physical movement, like floodwaters, or abstract concepts, like memories.

What are some alternatives to "receded down"?

Depending on the context, you could use "receded", "retreated", "diminished", or "subsided".

How can I avoid redundancy when using the word "receded"?

Be mindful of adding directional adverbs like "down", "back", or "away" after "receded" unless they add specific and non-obvious information. Often, the single word "receded" is sufficient.