sharply

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'sharply' is a completely valid and usable word in written English.
It is often used as an adverb to describe something that is done in a quick, forceful, or severe manner. For example, "The stock market fell sharply this morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The latest statistics from Strasbourg also show that the court's massive backlog of applications has fallen sharply again, down 30% over the year to 69,000.

The Guardian

A recent poll of parents by Chance to Shine, an organisation that promotes the return of cricket to schools, found that, while over half of children had been doing more sport in some way since the Olympics, the level of activity had fallen off sharply in schools.

The Guardian

While more than 100,000 people turned out for rallies at the protests' peak this autumn, the numbers of demonstrators have sharply dwindled and public support for the movement has waned.

The Guardian

As the Lib Dem leader faces a growing revolt after this week's violent protest against fee rises, internal documents show the party was drawing up proposals for coalition negotiations which contrasted sharply with Clegg's public pronouncements.

The Guardian

May We Be Forgiven by AM Homes (Granta), is a sharply observant, if slightly fantastical, satire on modern family life that made me laugh out loud.

The Guardian - Books

FT Alphaville makes a typically insightful point this morning – the cost of insuring Dutch debt against default has increased sharply in recent months, and is rather more costly than the German equivalent (having actually been cheaper a year ago).

The Guardian - Business

In the last two days of the campaign Netanyahu has tacked sharply right in a effort to secure re-election, addressing a rally in Tel Aviv organised by hardline pro-settlement activists and visiting the settlement at Har Homa in occupied east Jerusalem.

The Guardian

The latest GDP figures for the United States suggested that the economy slowed down sharply at the turn of the year, expanding at an annual rate of just 0.2% in the first quarter of 2015.

The Guardian - Business

Its stellar quarterly growth figures contrasted sharply with the dire fortunes of high street chain French Connection, which now expects to plunge into the red this year.

The Guardian - Business

From the New Road end he certainly turned the ball sharply at times, managed to take the wickets of Rutherford – who, out of character with the tone of this particular innings, charged, missed and was stumped – and Mark Craig, who will be his Kiwi spinning counterpart at Lord's and drove to short extra cover where Ross Whitely took a sharp catch well.

The Guardian - Sport

"To say this sharply and with such clarity and, I would say, courage, is refreshing given the chorus of hypocrisy and ignorance," Netanyahu said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sharply" to emphasize a sudden or significant change, movement, or contrast. It adds impact and clarity to your writing.

Common error

While "sharply" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or nuanced vocabulary may be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "significantly" or "substantially" for a more refined tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sharply" is as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to describe the manner in which an action is performed or a quality is exhibited. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is completely valid and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

18%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Books

8%

Science

7%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sharply" functions as an adverb to add emphasis to the manner an action is performed or the degree to which something is present. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically sound and versatile. Its high frequency and presence in sources like The Guardian and reputable business publications, signals its adaptability across diverse contexts. To enhance writing, use "sharply" to denote significant changes or contrasts, but avoid overuse in overly formal settings, opting for words like “significantly”. Alternatives such as "acutely" or "distinctly" can further refine your message. Understanding the term’s nuances ensures precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acutely

Emphasizes the intensity or severity of something.

distinctly

Highlights the clearness and unambiguity of a change or difference.

considerably

Indicates a significant degree or extent.

noticeably

Focuses on the ease with which something can be observed or detected.

markedly

Suggests that a change or difference is easily noticeable and significant.

steeply

Implies a rapid and substantial decline or increase.

abruptly

Highlights the suddenness and unexpectedness of an action or event.

intensely

Emphasizes the high degree or strength of an action or feeling.

aggressively

Conveys a sense of forcefulness and intensity.

crisply

Highlights the precision and clarity of an action or expression.

FAQs

How can I use "sharply" in a sentence?

"Sharply" is typically used as an adverb to describe the manner in which an action is performed, often indicating a sudden or intense quality. For example, "The temperature dropped "sharply" overnight" or "He turned "sharply" to face her".

What are some synonyms for "sharply"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "acutely", "distinctly", "considerably", or "noticeably". Choose the word that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "sharply" in both formal and informal writing?

Yes, "sharply" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. However, consider the specific context and audience. In some formal settings, more precise alternatives might be preferred.

What's the difference between "sharply" and "steeply"?

"Sharply" is a more general term indicating a sudden or intense change, while "steeply" specifically implies a rapid and substantial increase or decrease, often in a graphical or measurable sense. For example, a line on a graph might rise "steeply".