slightly declined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly declined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small decrease or reduction in something, such as numbers, interest, or quality. Example: "The company's profits have slightly declined over the past quarter, prompting a review of their marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After participants formed their bubble, their overconfidence often leveled off and slightly declined.

Harvard Business Review

He also stated that "average world temperature has slightly declined" over the past ten years.

The Times

While global temperatures have risen rapidly, solar activity has slightly declined.

The Guardian

Already, amid uncertainty over a bailout deal, tourist numbers to Rhodes have slightly declined.

The Guardian

The gap has been fairly consistent throughout the 2000s; teachers' wages slightly declined, as did wages for other college graduates.

The Washington Post

Adjusted for inflation, hourly wages have slightly declined in the last year, and corporate profits have surged.

The New York Times

Mean abundance declined with growing sward height from April to June and slightly declined with the number of fields surrounding study sites in all regions.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

The heat transfer coefficient only slightly declined with increasing the wall superheat temperature but substantially improved as the liquid supply pressure was increased.

International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer

Lawson has been an outspoken critic of climate science and recently incorrectly told the BBC the global temperature had slightly declined in the past decade.

The Guardian

Their manufacturing employment fell "substantially" more than the rest of the country, and, for people without a college education, even slightly declined for nonmanufacturing jobs as well.

The Washington Post

Since Jan . 1and the publication of our review of the business, our share price has risen 17% in a market (FTSE100) that has overall slightly declined.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly declined" when you want to convey a small and often insignificant decrease without causing alarm or overstating the change. It's suitable for describing trends that are not drastically changing.

Common error

While "slightly declined" is generally acceptable, using it repeatedly can make your writing monotonous. Consider using synonyms like "marginally decreased" or "somewhat diminished" for variety and to more accurately reflect the degree of change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly declined" functions as a verb phrase indicating a moderate degree of decrease. As Ludwig AI states, it is a usable phrase in written English and describes a small reduction in something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly declined" is a verb phrase used to describe a small or moderate decrease. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. It's commonly found in science and news contexts, indicating a neutral register suitable for various audiences. While "slightly declined" is useful for conveying small reductions, it's important to use synonyms for variety and precision. Alternatives include "marginally decreased", "somewhat diminished", and "modestly reduced".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally decreased

Emphasizes a minimal reduction, perhaps even bordering on insignificant.

somewhat diminished

Suggests a lessening in importance or quality, rather than just quantity.

modestly reduced

Highlights the restraint or limitation in the amount of reduction.

subtly decreased

Indicates a decrease that is so small, it might be difficult to notice.

mildly lessened

Implies the reduction is gentle and not severe.

inched downward

Uses a more visual and dynamic metaphor to describe a very gradual decline.

experienced a slight dip

Uses 'dip' to suggest a temporary and often small decline.

saw a minor reduction

Focuses on the fact of the reduction being small.

registered a small downturn

More formal, often used in economic or statistical contexts.

eased off slightly

Indicates a decrease in pressure or intensity, rather than a quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly declined" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly declined" to indicate a small decrease. For example: "The company's profits "slightly declined" this quarter."

What are some alternatives to "slightly declined"?

Alternatives include "marginally decreased", "somewhat diminished", or "modestly reduced". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "slightly declined" in formal writing?

Yes, "slightly declined" is appropriate for formal writing. However, consider the specific nuance you want to convey and choose the most precise term. Alternatives like "registered a small downturn" might be suitable in some business or economic contexts.

What's the difference between "slightly declined" and "significantly declined"?

"Slightly declined" indicates a small decrease, while "significantly declined" indicates a large or important decrease. Use "slightly declined" when the change is minimal and not a major concern, and use "significantly declined" when the change is substantial and noteworthy.