sequential decline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sequential decline" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual decrease or deterioration that occurs in a specific order or sequence over time. Example: "The company experienced a sequential decline in sales over the past three quarters, indicating a troubling trend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Revenues were $436 million, an 9% sequential decline and adjusted EBITDA fell 26.4% sequentially to $104 million.

Forbes

"It's a staggering sequential decline in margins," said A. M. Sacconaghi, an analyst with Sanford C. Bernstein & Company.

The New York Times

Removing the impact of seasonal variations, the new figures showed a "modest, but sequential" decline that began during the first quarter of 2001 and has continued since.

The New York Times

We also note our second quarter estimates are below consensus largely due to lower PD royalties, where we forecast a 14% sequential decline (from fall off of strong Apple and other smartphone chip builds in the third and fourth quarter), whereas consensus looks too optimistic with just a 3% sequential decline.

The Guardian - Business

That's a sequential decline in revenue.

TechCrunch

In addition, reduced marketing spend contributed to the sequential decline.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

"The sequential declines in revenue have stopped, which a lot of the companies are calling stabilization," he said.

The New York Times

Mr. Pavese said the first quarter was seasonally the weakest for the trash hauling industry, which tends to experience sequential declines in revenue.

The New York Times

While Wall Street banks like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley reported sequential declines in the region of 30 percent in their quarterly trading revenue, Nomura managed to keep its own flat.

The New York Times

Seeing sequential declines in revenue and profit are not surprising in companies that have seasonal revenue ebbs.

TechCrunch

Dupont's says it expects sequential declines to temper, but it still sees second-quarter sales volumes down from fiscal 2000.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "sequential decline" with a specific metric (e.g., revenue, user growth) to provide context and quantifiable information for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "sequential decline" interchangeably with year-over-year decline. "Sequential decline" refers to a decrease compared to the immediately preceding period, while year-over-year refers to the same period in the previous year. Confusing these terms can lead to misinterpretations of trends.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sequential decline" functions as a noun phrase where "sequential" modifies "decline". It describes a decrease or downturn that happens in a specific order or succession. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used in the context of business and finance to depict a decline from the immediately preceding period.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sequential decline" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe a decrease from one period to the next. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts, especially in News & Media and Formal & Business domains. When using the phrase, it's essential to distinguish it from similar terms like "year-over-year decline" and to specify the metric experiencing the decline for clarity. Alternatives include "gradual decrease" or "progressive decline", although these may lack the specific meaning of immediate period comparison.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incremental decline

Emphasizes the small, gradual nature of the decrease.

progressive decline

Highlights the continuous and ongoing nature of the decrease.

gradual decrease

Focuses on the slowness and lack of suddenness in the decline.

steady downturn

Implies a consistent and unwavering downward trend.

continuous reduction

Highlights the ongoing aspect of the reduction.

successive decrease

Emphasizes the following order of the decrease.

stepwise fall

Indicates a decline that occurs in distinct stages or steps.

orderly reduction

Stresses the methodical and structured nature of the reduction.

rolling decrease

Suggests a decrease that occurs steadily and consistently over time.

controlled downturn

Implies that the decrease is being managed or influenced in some way.

FAQs

How can I use "sequential decline" in a sentence?

You can use "sequential decline" to describe a decrease from one period to the next, for example: "The company experienced a "sequential decline" in sales during the second quarter."

What is an alternative to "sequential decline"?

Alternatives include "gradual decrease", "progressive decline", or "incremental decline" depending on the context.

What does "sequential decline" mean in financial reporting?

In financial reporting, "sequential decline" indicates a decrease in a metric (such as revenue or profit) when compared to the previous reporting period (e.g., from Q1 to Q2).

What's the difference between "sequential decline" and "year-over-year decline"?

"Sequential decline" compares a period to the immediately preceding one, while "year-over-year decline" compares a period to the same period in the previous year. For instance, a "year-over-year decline" in Q2 2025 would compare Q2 2025 to Q2 2024, whereas a "sequential decline" would compare Q2 2025 to Q1 2025.