sudden drop

USAGE SUMMARY

"sudden drop" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a sudden decrease in something, such as a sudden drop in temperature or a sudden drop in popularity. For example, "The candidate experienced a sudden drop in the polls following the revelation of the scandal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A sudden drop in arrests.

The Guardian

The stockmarket regulator is investigating the sudden drop.

The Economist

After the 2010 election, a sudden drop in advertising revenue hit the independent media.

The New York Times

In other words, producers were caught out by a sudden drop in sales.

The Economist

Otherwise, people may risk a sudden drop in their living standard when they retire.

The New York Times

The sudden drop in prices came after months of solid growth.

Independent

The scientists have not yet established what causes the sudden drop in resting metabolism at puberty.

The Guardian

Even now, a sudden drop in confidence could ignite another run on banks, analysts say.

The New York Times

But for anyone buckled in, a sudden drop, however stomach-churning, poses no danger.

The New York Times

"Princeton students will understand the reason for the sudden drop in grades next year," he said.

The New York Times

It also appeared not to have suffered a sudden drop in pressure.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing data trends, use "sudden drop" to highlight unexpected or significant decreases. For clarity, specify what is dropping (e.g., "a sudden drop in sales").

Common error

While "sudden drop" is acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "precipitous decline" or "abrupt downturn" in professional documents to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sudden drop" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a rapid and unexpected decrease in a particular quantity or state, as Ludwig AI confirms with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Social Media

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sudden drop" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a rapid decrease. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples across news, science, and business contexts reveals its versatility and broad applicability. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives exist for specific professional settings. The phrase is particularly useful for highlighting unexpected or significant declines, prompting further examination of underlying causes. Given its frequent use and clear meaning, "sudden drop" remains a valuable phrase in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sudden dip

Similar to "sudden drop", but may suggest a less severe or temporary decrease.

precipitous decline

Emphasizes a very steep and rapid fall, often implying danger or instability.

abrupt downturn

Focuses on a sudden change in a negative direction, often used in economic or financial contexts.

sharp decrease

Highlights the magnitude of the reduction, suggesting a significant change.

rapid fall

Emphasizes the speed of the decline, indicating a quick descent.

instantaneous reduction

Stresses that the lessening happens almost immediately.

immediate plunge

Highlights the severity and suddenness of the decrease, often suggesting a dramatic effect.

unexpected slump

Implies the decrease was not anticipated and happened quickly.

noticeable decline

Focuses on decrease that is easily observed.

radical reduction

Focuses on big sudden drop, especially in formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "sudden drop" in a sentence?

"Sudden drop" is typically used to describe a quick and unexpected decrease in something. For example, "The company experienced a sudden drop in profits" or "There was a sudden drop in temperature overnight."

What can I say instead of "sudden drop"?

You can use alternatives like "precipitous decline", "abrupt downturn", or "sharp decrease" depending on the specific context.

Is "sudden drop" formal or informal?

"Sudden drop" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, consider using more sophisticated synonyms.

What causes a "sudden drop"?

The cause of a "sudden drop" depends on the context. It could be due to various factors such as economic changes, unexpected events, or seasonal variations. The specific reason needs to be identified based on the situation.