sharply declined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sharply declined" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a significant decrease or reduction in something. You can use it when discussing numbers, statistics, or trends that have decreased significantly over a certain period of time. Example: "The stock market sharply declined after the unexpected announcement of the company's CEO stepping down."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The share going to middle-income families sharply declined.

Stanford University

Conclusions: SIDS incidence sharply declined between 1989 and 1996.

The Journal of Pediatrics

Chagas disease incidence has sharply declined over the last decade.

Acta Tropica

Living standards have sharply declined; health care has been gutted.

The New York Times

After the Sochi Games, interest in Smile Japan sharply declined.

The New York Times - Sports

While that amount sharply declined during the drought beginning in 1931, it still is substantial.

Cornell University

By the 1950s, even the market for Sanganer hand-block printed fabric had sharply declined.

The New York Times - Arts

It was on his watch that France's competitive position sharply declined.

The Economist

Since the turn of the century, use of the death penalty has sharply declined.

The Washington Post

Even though prices have sharply declined, the government is not particularly worried.

The New York Times

By contrast, worldwide immigration to Israel has sharply declined during the Arab-Israeli violence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sharply declined" to convey a significant and noticeable decrease in a specific metric or trend. Ensure that the context provides clear information about what is declining and the timeframe over which the decline occurs.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "sharply declined" is more suited for formal or professional writing. In casual conversation, consider using simpler alternatives like "went down a lot" or "dropped quickly" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sharply declined" functions as a verb phrase, where "sharply" modifies the verb "declined", indicating the manner in which something decreased. Ludwig shows numerous examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sharply declined" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a significant decrease or reduction. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, primarily within news, science, and academic domains. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly defines what is declining and the relevant timeframe. While appropriate for formal and professional writing, simpler alternatives may be preferred in casual settings. Consider using synonyms like "decreased dramatically" or "fell significantly" for variety and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Decreased dramatically

Emphasizes the extent of the reduction, similar to "sharply declined".

Fell significantly

Highlights the downward movement and its importance.

Dropped substantially

Indicates a considerable decrease in quantity or value.

Plummeted drastically

Conveys a rapid and severe decline.

Dwindled rapidly

Suggests a quick reduction in size or amount.

Diminished steeply

Emphasizes the angle and severity of the decrease.

Eroded substantially

Implies a gradual but significant reduction over time.

Contracted heavily

Indicates a reduction in size or scope, often used in economic contexts.

Receded notably

Highlights a clear and noticeable decrease.

Lessened markedly

Stresses the noticeable degree of reduction.

FAQs

What does "sharply declined" mean?

The phrase "sharply declined" indicates a significant and rapid decrease in something, such as numbers, values, or trends.

What can I say instead of "sharply declined"?

You can use alternatives like "decreased dramatically", "fell significantly", or "dropped substantially" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "sharply declined" in a formal context?

Yes, "sharply declined" is appropriate for formal contexts, such as academic papers, business reports, and news articles. It clearly conveys a significant decrease in a professional manner.

Can "sharply declined" be used to describe abstract concepts?

Yes, "sharply declined" can describe both concrete and abstract concepts. For instance, you can say "the quality of service sharply declined" or "the company's profits sharply declined".