set to decline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set to decline" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is expected to decrease or diminish in the future. Example: "The company's profits are set to decline due to increased competition in the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet revenue from the North Sea is set to decline.

The Guardian

"Inflation appears set to decline significantly over the next year toward levels consistent with price stability".

The New York Times

But his annual hit total was set to decline for the third straight season.

The New York Times - Sports

Fifth, the US global footprint is set to decline due to budget cuts.

The Economist

Inflation will stay low even though unemployment is set to decline.

The Economist

If relative wages are set to decline, the pain in New York could be greater than in other regions.

The New York Times

Oil consumption is set to decline for the first time in 25 years because of the economic crisis.

The New York Times

And that could rise, as crop-picking labor supply is set to decline in the country following Brexit.

MIT Technology Review

Fiscal deficits are set to decline only moderately in 2010 in the EU10.Doom-mongers should be eating their hats.

The Economist

Brazil's debt-to-G.D.P. ratio is set to decline, and investors now have little fear for the country's solvency.

The New York Times

For the first time since the Carter administration, homeownership in the United States is set to decline over a president's tenure.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "set to decline" to convey an expectation or prediction, particularly when based on current trends or forecasts.

Common error

Avoid using "set to decline" for subjects that typically increase or improve. It is best suited for quantifiable items or metrics expected to diminish.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set to decline" functions as a predictive expression, indicating a future decrease or reduction. As Ludwig AI points out, it is a common way to express anticipated trends. The phrase modifies nouns, specifying an expected downturn in their quantity or performance, or an expectation of negative trend. The Ludwig examples include "oil consumption is set to decline" and "student numbers look set to decline".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "set to decline" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate an expected decrease or downturn. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is widespread across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. It's important to use the phrase appropriately, ensuring the subject and context align with the concept of something diminishing. Consider alternatives like "expected to decrease" or "projected to fall" for nuanced formality. With its neutral register and clear predictive function, "set to decline" remains a valuable tool for expressing anticipated negative trends in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expected to decrease

Replaces "set to" with "expected to", focusing on the anticipation of a decrease. It is more formal.

projected to fall

Uses "projected" instead of "set", highlighting a calculated prediction of a fall.

forecast to drop

Emphasizes a prediction or forecast of a drop, commonly used in economic contexts.

anticipated to diminish

More formal and literary, suggesting a gradual reduction or lessening.

likely to decrease

Indicates a probability of decreasing, rather than a certainty.

slated to reduce

Suggests a planned or scheduled reduction.

predicted to lessen

Highlights the predictive aspect of a reduction or weakening.

bound to fall

Implies a sense of inevitability in the decline.

doomed to decrease

Conveys a negative or fatalistic outlook on the decline.

on track to decline

Indicates a current trajectory leading towards a decline.

FAQs

How can I use "set to decline" in a sentence?

You can use "set to decline" to indicate an expected decrease or reduction. For example, "Oil consumption is "set to decline" for the first time in 25 years because of the economic crisis."

What are some alternatives to "set to decline"?

You can use alternatives like "expected to decrease", "projected to fall", or "forecast to drop" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "expected to decrease" or "set to decline"?

"Expected to decrease" is generally more formal than ""set to decline"". The latter is common in news and general contexts, while the former is more appropriate for academic or business writing.

What does "set to decline" imply about the certainty of the decrease?

"Set to decline" implies a strong expectation or high probability of a decrease based on current information. It suggests a likely outcome rather than a guaranteed one.