supply curve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supply curve" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a graphical representation of the relationship between the price of a good or service and the quantity supplied by producers. Example: According to the supply curve, as the price of coffee increases, the quantity supplied by coffee roasters also increases, ceteris paribus (all other factors remaining constant).

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Compare supply curve.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"This is a classic backward-bending labor supply curve," Mr. Bergstrand said.

The New York Times

This shifts the aggregate supply curve to the left, to S2.

The Economist

They will indeed raise costs, that is, shift up the aggregate supply curve.

The New York Times

Any change in non-price factors would cause a shift in the supply curve, whereas changes in the price of the commodity can be traced along a fixed supply curve.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Bad weather may reduce the amount of coffee produced at all prices, i.e., it shifts the supply curve inward.

The Economist

We will know precisely where the supply curve meets the demand curve, which will make the marketplace vastly more efficient.

The New York Times

There is also growing output from photovoltaic panels (PV) in Germany, Spain and Italy, which can further smooth the renewable supply curve.

The Guardian - Opinion

Because nuclear is "always on", it does nothing to smooth the supply curve from wind, or to better match total supply to demand, which is also highly variable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Positive economic incentive effects from reduced marginal tax rates will push out the aggregate supply curve to more than absorb demand increases without raising prices.

The New York Times

2. We should also improve our connections to other European countries, as this will help to smooth the overall renewables supply curve, and so benefit all countries.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing shifts in the "supply curve", clearly identify the non-price factors causing the shift, such as technology, input costs, or government regulations.

Common error

Avoid saying "The supply curve increased" when you mean "The quantity supplied increased". A change in price causes movement along the "supply curve", while changes in other factors cause the entire curve to shift.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supply curve" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object in a sentence related to economic principles. Ludwig AI confirms its standard grammatical function within economic discourse.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "supply curve" is a fundamental concept in economics, representing the relationship between price and quantity supplied. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and highly prevalent across diverse sources, including encyclopedias, news media, and scientific publications. The analysis emphasizes understanding the factors that shift the curve versus movements along the curve, ensuring clarity in economic discussions. Usage is predominantly formal and scientific, reflecting its role in detailed economic analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supply function

A mathematical representation of the supply curve, emphasizing the functional relationship.

market supply relationship

Emphasizes the connection between the overall market supply and influencing factors.

supply response to price changes

Highlights the reaction of suppliers to changes in the market price.

aggregate supply schedule

Refers to the total quantity of goods and services supplied in an economy at various price levels.

available supply at varying costs

Focuses on the range of costs associated with different levels of supply.

production possibilities frontier

Focuses on the maximum output achievable with given resources, rather than the price-quantity relationship.

quantity supplied at a given price

Highlights a specific point on the curve rather than the entire relationship.

production capacity curve

Highlights maximum output based on technological and resource constraints.

supply behavior

Highlights the general patterns and tendencies of suppliers in response to market signals.

resource mobilization capacity

Focuses on how readily resources can be brought into production, affecting the supply.

FAQs

How does a change in technology affect the "supply curve"?

Improvements in technology typically lower production costs, leading to an increase in supply. This is represented as a rightward shift of the "supply curve", indicating that producers are willing to supply more at each price.

What factors can cause the "supply curve" to shift?

Several factors can shift the "supply curve", including changes in input prices, technology, expectations about future prices, the number of sellers, and government policies (such as taxes and subsidies).

What's the difference between a movement along the "supply curve" and a shift in the "supply curve"?

A movement along the "supply curve" occurs when the price of the good itself changes, causing a change in the quantity supplied. A shift in the "supply curve" occurs when factors other than price change, such as input costs or technology.

Is the "supply curve" always upward-sloping?

In most cases, yes. The "supply curve" is typically upward-sloping, reflecting the law of supply, which states that as the price of a good increases, producers are willing to supply more of that good. However, there can be exceptions, such as a backward-bending labor supply curve.