sluggish growth

USAGE SUMMARY

"sluggish growth" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a slow rate of economic activity. For example, "The company has experienced sluggish growth over the past few years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

South Africa's sluggish growth defies regional trends.

The New York Times

The sluggish growth in jobs was surprising.

The Guardian - Business

"My forecast is for slow, sluggish growth".

The New York Times

But six other components suggested sluggish growth.

The New York Times

The answer does not just involve sluggish growth.

The New York Times

Analysts remained concerned about the sluggish growth in ad revenue.

The New York Times

It might mean less stable economic expansions and sluggish growth.

The New York Times

Investors had been braced for more sluggish growth.

The New York Times

Ageing or even shrinking populations make sluggish growth more likely.

The Economist

For the last decade or so, the U.S. has been experiencing sluggish growth and growing inequality.

Harvard University

Recessions and sluggish growth in the developed world helped to cut demand.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic performance, use "sluggish growth" to convey a sense of underperformance without necessarily implying a recession. It suggests a pace slower than desired or expected.

Common error

Avoid using "sluggish growth" in contexts that require stronger terms like "recession" or "economic downturn" if the situation is more severe. "Sluggish growth" understates the problem in truly dire economic situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sluggish growth" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "sluggish" modifies the noun "growth". It describes a state or condition of economic expansion, often used to characterize its quality or rate. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sluggish growth" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase to describe a period of slow economic expansion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to characterize the quality or rate of economic activity. Its usage is most prevalent in news and media, as well as academic and formal business contexts. While it is generally understood to have a negative connotation, it's important to use it accurately, avoiding overuse in situations that require stronger terms such as "recession". Alternatives like "weak growth" or "anaemic growth" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to use "sluggish growth" to convey a sense of underperformance without necessarily implying a severe economic downturn.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slow growth

A very similar and commonly used alternative, replacing "sluggish" with "slow".

anaemic growth

Replaces "sluggish" with "anaemic", emphasizing a lack of vitality and strength in growth.

weak growth

Uses a more direct and simple term, "weak", to describe the poor growth.

stagnant growth

Suggests that the growth is not just slow, but almost non-existent, implying a standstill.

feeble growth

Indicates a growth that is frail and easily disrupted, highlighting its vulnerability.

lackluster growth

Emphasizes the absence of brightness or excitement in the growth, suggesting it is uninspiring.

subdued growth

Implies that the growth is restrained or muted, perhaps by external factors.

slight growth

Indicates that the growth is minimal and barely perceptible.

moderate growth

Suggests a growth rate that is neither strong nor weak, but somewhere in the middle.

gradual growth

Focuses on the slow pace of growth, highlighting its incremental nature.

FAQs

How can I use "sluggish growth" in a sentence?

You can use "sluggish growth" to describe a period of slow economic expansion, as in "The country experienced "sluggish growth" in the last quarter."

What are some alternatives to "sluggish growth"?

Alternatives include "weak growth", "anaemic growth", or "slow growth", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sluggish growth" a negative term?

Yes, "sluggish growth" generally carries a negative connotation, implying that economic performance is below expectations or desired levels. It's less severe than a recession but indicates an undesirable economic condition.

What factors might contribute to "sluggish growth"?

Factors contributing to "sluggish growth" can include low investment, decreased consumer spending, high unemployment, and unfavorable government policies. These factors often interact and reinforce each other.