steadily declining

USAGE SUMMARY

'steadily declining' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a gradual, continuous decrease in size, number, or intensity, such as in the following example sentence: The demand for books has been steadily declining in recent years.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Advertising dollars had been steadily declining.

The New York Times

That capped a decade of steadily declining road fatalities.

The New York Times

The proportion of military veterans has been steadily declining.

The New York Times

Classical music sales have been steadily declining in recent years.

The New York Times - Arts

The numbers had been steadily declining each year until the latest tally.

The New York Times

ESPN did not broadcast the last two Cups after years of steadily declining television ratings.

The New York Times - Sports

The number of such episodes has been steadily declining since 2006.

The New York Times

He also warned that France needed labor market overhauls and was suffering steadily declining competitiveness.

The New York Times

METS Fans have little patience for rebuilding, as evidenced by the Mets' steadily declining attendance.

The New York Times

Church attendance is high (but steadily declining), family life is central, and community ties are strong.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Worse still, even the studies that yielded some positive result showed a steadily declining effect size.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends over time, use "steadily declining" to convey a sense of consistent and gradual decrease. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "steadily declining" when the decrease is rapid or abrupt. "Steadily" implies a gradual change, so choose a different phrase if the decline is sudden.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steadily declining" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the manner in which something is decreasing. It adds detail to the verb by indicating a gradual and continuous reduction. As Ludwig examples illustrate, it often describes abstract trends.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "steadily declining" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a gradual and continuous decrease. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedia writing. While interchangeable with phrases like "gradually decreasing", it's important to avoid using it for rapid or abrupt declines. Its common usage across reputable sources makes it a reliable choice for conveying a sense of consistent reduction over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradually decreasing

Emphasizes the slowness and gentleness of the decline.

continuously diminishing

Highlights the ongoing and persistent nature of the decline.

progressively lessening

Focuses on the step-by-step reduction over time.

constantly reducing

Stresses the unceasing nature of the reduction.

systematically decreasing

Suggests a methodical or planned reduction.

regularly diminishing

Indicates that the decline occurs at consistent intervals.

incessantly falling

Implies an uninterrupted downward trend.

persistently waning

Emphasizes the stubborn continuation of the decline, even against resistance.

relentlessly dropping

Highlights the forcefulness and determination of the decline.

consistently depreciating

Suggests a continuous loss of value or worth.

FAQs

How can I use "steadily declining" in a sentence?

You can use "steadily declining" to describe a gradual decrease in something over time. For example, "The company's profits have been "steadily declining" due to increased competition."

What are some alternatives to "steadily declining"?

Some alternatives include "gradually decreasing", "continuously diminishing", or "progressively lessening". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "steadily decreasing" or "steadily declining"?

"Steadily decreasing" and "steadily declining" are often interchangeable. However, "declining" might be preferred when referring to abstract concepts or qualities, while "decreasing" is suitable for quantifiable amounts. For example: "Moral values are "steadily declining"" versus "The number of employees is "steadily decreasing"".

Which is correct: "a steadily declining rate" or "a steady declining rate"?

"A steadily declining rate" is correct. The adverb "steadily" modifies the participle "declining", indicating the manner in which the rate is decreasing. "A steady declining rate" is grammatically incorrect.