recession

USAGE SUMMARY

“recession” is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a period of economic decline, particularly when the decline is more severe or prolonged than a typical downturn in the business cycle. For example, "Many countries around the world have experienced a recession due to the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It said that if automatic spending cuts go into force and all the Bush-era tax cuts expire, the nation would slip into recession next year and unemployment would rise to 9.1 percent, from October's rate of 7.9 percent.

The New York Times

And the looming combination of tax increases and spending cuts looks easily large enough to push America back into recession.

The New York Times

What recession?

Forbes

Going back decades, such spending had never fallen more than 3 percent per capita in a recession.

The New York Times

The financial crisis and the great recession, indeed depression, undermined many of the assumptions of bourgeois triumphalism.

The Guardian

The recession has been long and real in all parts of Wales.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the summer of 2007, she was one of the first at Federal Open Market Committee [FOMC] meetings to caution that the subprime mortgage crisis would lead to a recession, while others appeared more concerned about inflation.

The Guardian - Opinion

The figures fuelled hopes of a recovery this year after three years of recession.

The Guardian - Business

Where do you look for jobs in a recession?

The Guardian - Money

What the duration of this recession surely shows is how dysfunctional the three interlocking pillars of British capitalism have become.

The Guardian - Opinion

With a group of eight others, including the Guardian's Larry Elliot, I have co-authored a proposal for a Green New Deal to tackle what is, in reality, a 'triple crunch': economic recession, accelerating climate change, and rising oil prices underpinned by an encroaching peak in oil production.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic trends, provide specific data points (e.g. GDP growth, unemployment rates) to support claims about a "recession".

Common error

Avoid labeling every economic slowdown as a "recession". A true "recession" is characterized by a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales.

Linguistic Context

The noun "recession" functions primarily as a descriptor of economic conditions, specifically denoting a period of economic decline. Ludwig shows numerous examples of its usage in describing economic states and predicting future economic downturns. This aligns with Ludwig AI affirmation that the word is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "recession" is a correct and very common way to describe a period of significant economic decline. As Ludwig examples illustrate, it's frequently used in news and media, as well as in formal business and scientific contexts. The phrase functions as a descriptor of economic conditions, with the primary purpose of informing, analyzing, or warning about economic downturns. While the term is widely accepted, it's important to use it accurately, differentiating a "recession" from a mere economic slowdown. Related phrases such as "economic downturn" or "economic slump" can be used to express similar ideas, Ludwig also indicates that these suggestions are very appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

economic contraction

A more formal term indicating a decrease in the overall size of the economy.

downturn in the economy

A more descriptive way of saying that the economy is performing poorly.

economic downturn

Focuses on the declining phase of the economic cycle, a general term for a period when economic activity slows.

period of economic decline

A general phrase referring to any time when the economy is performing poorly.

economic slump

Implies a sudden and significant drop in economic activity, suggesting a more severe downturn.

business cycle contraction

Academic term referring to that part of the business cycle where the economy is in decline.

economic crisis

Emphasizes the severity and urgency of the economic problems.

financial crisis

Refers to a situation where financial institutions or assets lose a large part of their value, potentially leading to a recession.

economic stagnation

Suggests a prolonged period of little or no economic growth.

market crash

Specifically refers to a sudden and significant drop in stock market values, which can precede a recession.

FAQs

How is "recession" typically defined?

Statisticians often define a "recession" as negative real GDP growth during two consecutive quarters. However, other factors like employment and income levels are also considered.

What are some potential causes of a "recession"?

Recessions can be triggered by various factors, including financial crises, supply chain disruptions, unexpected events like pandemics, or contractionary fiscal policies.

What are some phrases similar to "recession"?

You can use alternatives like "economic downturn", "economic slump", or "economic contraction" depending on the specific context.

How does a "recession" differ from a depression?

A depression is a more severe and prolonged downturn than a "recession". It involves a larger decline in economic activity and can last for several years.