sharp decrease

USAGE SUMMARY

"sharp decrease" is correct and usable in written English.
Example: There has been a sharp decrease in the rate of employment in the last few months.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In two seasons, he's hit around.240, with a sharp decrease in power this year.

The New York Times

The service department has also seen a sharp decrease in October.

The New York Times

Much of the improvement in cash came from a sharp decrease in capital spending.

The New York Times - Tech

Interestingly, there was a sharp decrease in freezing during each stimulus presentation.

Nature

Banning a chemical used to make Teflon led to a sharp decrease in pregnancy-related problems.

The New York Times - Health

But 6percentt demonstrated a sharp decrease in well-being in the years following their marriage.

The New York Times

By comparison, in 1996, attendance was about 317,100, which represented a sharp decrease from previous years.

The New York Times

Tests taken before and after the sessions showed that cooling caused a sharp decrease in reported levels of fatigue.

The New York Times - Health

Why should women accept anything less than a sharp decrease in all categories of this terrible crime?

The New York Times

The sharp decrease in imports meant the trade surplus expanded 65.6% year on year to $59.49bn, according to the data.

The Guardian - Business

A sharp decrease in performance was observed at the critical Froude number (Fr=1.0).

Ocean Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sharp decrease" when you want to emphasize a notable and often sudden reduction in something. For softer impacts, consider alternatives like "gradual decline".

Common error

While "sharp decrease" is widely applicable, avoid using it excessively in informal writing. Opt for simpler language like "big drop" or "significant fall" to maintain a conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sharp decrease" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a notable reduction. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

57%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sharp decrease" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term, denoting a significant reduction. According to Ludwig, its usage spans across various domains, most notably science and news media. While it is generally acceptable for formal and neutral contexts, substituting it with alternatives like "significant reduction" might be preferable in casual conversation. Ensure that "sharp decrease" is used when highlighting a notable and sudden reduction, and consider milder alternatives when describing gradual declines.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant reduction

Emphasizes the magnitude of the reduction.

marked decline

Highlights the noticeable downward trend.

substantial drop

Focuses on the considerable extent of the fall.

noticeable downturn

Indicates a negative shift or change.

steep fall

Stresses the sudden and rapid nature of the decrease.

rapid diminution

Emphasizes the quick reduction in size or importance.

considerable lessening

Highlights a notable reduction in amount or intensity.

abrupt curtailment

Focuses on the sudden termination or reduction.

significant depreciation

Highlights the lowering of value.

pronounced weakening

Emphasizes the distinct loss of strength or effectiveness.

FAQs

How can I use "sharp decrease" in a sentence?

You can use "sharp decrease" to describe a notable reduction, such as "There was a sharp decrease in sales last quarter" or "The company reported a sharp decrease in profits".

What are some alternatives to "sharp decrease"?

You can use alternatives like "significant reduction", "marked decline", or "substantial drop" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sharp decrease" formal or informal?

"Sharp decrease" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, but may sound overly technical in casual conversation. Consider simpler terms like "big drop" for informal settings.

How does "sharp decrease" differ from "gradual decline"?

"Sharp decrease" indicates a sudden and noticeable drop, whereas "gradual decline" suggests a slow and steady reduction over time.