slowly decline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slowly decline" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual decrease in quantity, quality, or status over time. Example: "The company's profits began to slowly decline after the market crash, leading to significant layoffs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

With age, eyesight and reflexes slowly decline.

The New York Times

Mr. Blackledge of Credit Suisse predicts that Netflix's DVD business will peak in 2012 and then slowly decline.

The New York Times - Tech

Once growth recovers, fiscal policy achieves its target and privatization picks up, debt would begin to slowly decline.

The New York Times

And most of the other notably successful Massively Multiplayer Online games (MMOs) plateau at (and slowly decline from) the 200,000 to 500,000 mark.

The Guardian - Tech

Meanwhile, she was stuck living in the other house in Maricopa, paying off the mortgage and watching its value slowly decline.

The New York Times

American readership did slowly decline, to the point that only secondhand copies were available when, in 1948, Modern Library reprinted the text, but "Uncle Tom's Cabin" continued to be read in Europe, especially in Russia, and by Anglophone men of letters.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

And then slowly declined.

The New York Times

This line started high and slowly declined as a priority.

The Economist

The number of death sentences was already slowly declining.

The Economist

Global crude oil inventories have been slowly declining.

The New York Times

Unemployment has been steadily, if slowly, declining in recent months.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slowly decline" when you want to emphasize the gradual nature of a decrease, avoiding sudden or dramatic implications.

Common error

Avoid using "slowly decline" when a more precise term is needed. For example, if the decrease is due to a specific cause, consider using a phrase that reflects that cause, rather than simply stating a gradual decline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slowly decline" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where 'slowly' acts as an adverb modifying the verb 'decline'. It indicates the manner in which something is decreasing or deteriorating. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

40%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slowly decline" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that effectively communicates a gradual decrease or deterioration. According to Ludwig, its versatile nature makes it suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific articles. The phrase's neutral register ensures its appropriateness in both formal and informal settings. While alternative phrases exist, such as "gradually diminish" or "steadily decrease", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradually diminish

Focuses on the gradual reduction in size, importance, or intensity.

steadily decrease

Emphasizes the consistent and continuous nature of the decline.

gently fade away

Suggests a subtle and almost imperceptible disappearance.

progressively deteriorate

Highlights the worsening condition over time.

wane gradually

Implies a slow and natural reduction in power or influence.

ebb slowly

Suggests a gradual receding or weakening, like a tide.

softly regress

Implies a gentle movement backward or towards a previous state.

imperceptibly lessen

Emphasizes the difficulty in noticing the reduction.

mildly subside

Suggests a gentle calming down or reduction in intensity.

languidly dwindle

Highlights the slow and listless manner of the decrease.

FAQs

How can I use "slowly decline" in a sentence?

You can use "slowly decline" to describe a gradual decrease in something. For instance, "The company's profits began to "slowly decline" after the market crash" or "His health "slowly declined" over the years".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "slowly decline"?

Alternatives to "slowly decline" include phrases such as "gradually diminish", "steadily decrease", or "gently fade away", each conveying a slightly different nuance of gradual reduction.

Is it correct to say "decline slowly" instead of "slowly decline"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, ""slowly decline"" is more common and natural-sounding in English. "Decline slowly" is less frequently used.

What's the difference between "slowly decline" and "rapidly decline"?

"Slowly decline" suggests a gradual reduction, while "rapidly decline" implies a quick and significant decrease. The choice depends on the speed of the decrease you want to describe.