steadily decrease

USAGE SUMMARY

"steadily decrease" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a gradual decrease in something, or when referring to something that is decreasing in a slow, continual manner. For example: The amount of water in the lake has been steadily decreasing over the past decade.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

We can all agree that we need to steadily decrease the percentage of oil in our nation's energy use.

The New York Times

Under the proposal, the regulators would limit the number of allowances in Europe — ending the scope for a government to allocate more than necessary — and steadily decrease the amount of allowances available after 2012 for manufacturing industries besides the power sector.

The New York Times

Life is safe there now: The operators are controlling their mines instead of a gang of cowardly ruffians, traitors and murderers; coal is being produced more surely and as stated to me more plentifully, the price of which will probably steadily decrease until it reaches the proper point.

The New York Times

Aides to Dr. Frist said he would submit to the Rules Committee a plan to steadily decrease the votes needed to override such a filibuster from 60 to 57 to 54 to 51 on four succeeding votes over 13 days of Senate meetings.

The New York Times

He once illuminated the peculiar evolutionary phenomenon in which more recently evolved species within a family group steadily decrease in size by comparing it to how the manufacturers of Hershey bars avoided price rises by making the bars smaller while keeping the costs the same.

The Guardian

The HSW in MAMR was theoretically shown to steadily decrease with increasing temperature because of thermal fluctuations [14].

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

State funds for education have steadily decreased.

The New York Times

Over six weeks, its audience steadily decreased.

The New York Times - Arts

The Danish element in his entourage steadily decreased.

Encyclopedia Britannica

White-collar positions have also steadily decreased at all the automakers and their suppliers.

The New York Times

At the same time, sales of her albums, though always in the millions, have steadily decreased.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "steadily decrease" to describe a gradual reduction over time, especially when emphasizing consistency. For example, "The company aimed to steadily decrease its carbon emissions each year."

Common error

Avoid using "steadily decrease" when describing rapid or abrupt declines. "Plummeted", "crashed", or "collapsed" are more suitable for such scenarios. "Steadily decrease" implies a more measured and continuous change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steadily decrease" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe a gradual reduction in quantity, quality, or intensity over time. It specifies the manner in which something diminishes, emphasizing the consistent and continuous nature of the decline. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "steadily decrease" is a verb phrase used to describe a continuous and consistent reduction over time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, indicating it is a suitable choice for formal and neutral contexts such as science and news reporting. The phrase's function is to inform or explain a gradual decline, emphasizing that the change is ongoing and not abrupt. When using "steadily decrease", consider the nuances of alternative phrases like "gradually diminish" or "progressively lessen" to precisely convey your intended meaning. Avoid using it when describing rapid drops, opting instead for stronger verbs like "plummeted" or "crashed". The phrase is commonly found in scientific and news contexts, reflecting its value in objective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

steadily shrink

Similar meaning, focusing on physical size reduction.

gradually diminish

Emphasizes a slow and subtle reduction.

progressively lessen

Highlights the step-by-step nature of the decrease.

systematically decline

Suggests a methodical and ordered reduction.

continually erode

Implies a wearing away or disintegration over time.

consistently abate

Focuses on a lessening of intensity or severity.

incessantly wane

Emphasizes a continuous fading or diminishing.

steadily recede

Suggests a movement away or backward as it decreases.

moderately decline

Highlights a gentle or tempered decrease.

uniformly reduce

Indicates a consistent rate and manner of decrease.

FAQs

What does "steadily decrease" mean?

The phrase "steadily decrease" means to diminish or reduce in a gradual and consistent manner over a period of time. It implies a continuous and relatively uniform rate of decline.

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

You can use "steadily decrease" to describe a variety of situations where something is gradually diminishing. For example: "The number of students attending the university has "steadily decreased" over the past few years."

What are some alternatives to "steadily decrease"?

Alternatives to "steadily decrease" include phrases like "gradually diminish", "progressively lessen", or "systematically decline", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "steadily decrease" or "steadily declined"?

Both "steadily decrease" and "steadily declined" are grammatically correct, but they function differently. "Steadily decrease" is an infinitive form used with auxiliary verbs (e.g., "will steadily decrease"), while "steadily declined" is a past tense verb. Choose the form that fits the grammatical structure of your sentence.