shrinking trend

USAGE SUMMARY

"shrinking trend" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a trend that involves something decreasing in size. For example, "Over the past few years, there has been a noticeable shrinking trend in the number of people who attend the annual fair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

According to the Publisher's Information Bureau, Weider's category leader Muscle & Fitness has charted seven consecutive quarters of year-over-year growth in both pages and revenue the sole title to buck the shrinking trend in mainstream print media with such consistency.

Forbes

Lenoir said he wouldn't be surprised if the shrinking trend continues.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Areas of greater groundwater depth (<− 20 m) and four groundwater depletion cones expanded during the pre-CTSRB period, whereas variable shrinking trends were detected during the CTSRB period.

Science of The Total Environment

Even in North Africa, regarded as the great exception to the shrinking population trend, birthrates have dropped somewhat.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, the amount of coal-fired capacity in the United States and Europe has been shrinking, a trend Ghio said is bound to cloud the industry's prospects.

Vice

In other words, the ax falls predominantly on women when governments shrink, a trend that many Republicans (including Mr. Romney) have endorsed.

The New York Times

In China, a catch of 5.5m tonnes was expected in 1999; but the official figure was 10.1m tonnes.When the pair replaced official statistics with estimates, the global catch showed a wobbly downward trend, shrinking by some 360,000 tonnes every year since 1988.

The Economist

"The exodus has begun," said Sung Won Sohn, an economist at Cal State Channel Islands and a former director at Forever 21. "The garment industry is gradually shrinking and that trend will likely continue".

Los Angeles Times

That trend risks shrinking its television footprint and stunting the value of its other franchises.

The New York Times - Magazine

There is an exception to the trend of shrinking population in Western places: Indian reservations are growing.

The New York Times

While most independent cable companies have been expanding in the last two years, Charles F. Dolan, the founder of Cablevision Systems, has bucked the bigger-is-better trend by shrinking his company.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "shrinking trend", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is shrinking and over what period of time. For example, "the shrinking trend in smartphone screen sizes over the last year" provides a more complete picture.

Common error

Avoid attributing a "shrinking trend" to a single cause without considering multiple contributing factors. For example, stating that "the shrinking trend in book sales is due solely to e-books" ignores other factors like changing leisure activities and economic conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shrinking trend" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a pattern or direction in which something is decreasing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shrinking trend" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a pattern of decline or decrease. As Ludwig AI shows, it appears across various contexts, notably in news and scientific publications. While often neutral in tone, it can carry negative connotations depending on the subject matter. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding what is shrinking and consider the potential contributing factors to avoid oversimplification. Alternatives like "decreasing tendency" or "downward trajectory" can provide subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreasing tendency

Replaces "trend" with "tendency", focusing on the inclination towards decrease.

declining pattern

Substitutes "trend" with "pattern", highlighting the regularity of the decrease.

downward trajectory

Uses "trajectory" to emphasize the path of decline, implying a direction.

receding movement

Employs "receding" to signify moving back or away, indicating reduction.

waning course

Uses "waning" to suggest a gradual decrease in strength or intensity.

diminishing inclination

Combines "diminishing" with "inclination" to convey a decreasing tendency.

lessening progress

Indicates a reduction in progress or advancement.

contracting development

Uses "contracting" to show a reduction in size or scope of development.

ebbing flow

Implies a gradual decline, similar to the tide going out.

subsiding wave

Suggests a trend that is becoming less intense over time.

FAQs

How can I use "shrinking trend" in a sentence?

You can use "shrinking trend" to describe a decline or decrease in something over time. For instance, "There's a "shrinking trend" in the number of people using landlines."

What's a good alternative to "shrinking trend"?

Alternatives include "decreasing tendency", "declining pattern", or "downward trajectory", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to describe something as a "shrinking trend"?

Not necessarily. While often associated with negative connotations like economic decline, a "shrinking trend" can also be neutral or even positive depending on the context. For example, a "shrinking trend" in packaging sizes could be seen as environmentally friendly.

What factors might contribute to a "shrinking trend"?

Factors contributing to a "shrinking trend" vary widely depending on the context. They can include economic downturns, technological advancements, changing consumer preferences, or policy changes.