tapered out

USAGE SUMMARY

"tapered out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase which means to gradually decrease and diminish in intensity, size, or amount until it stops. For example: "The enthusiasm for the project tapered out after the initial launch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Further, tax cuts for families with children are tapered out for the richest.

The Guardian

Fraud investigations have tapered out, those caught pocketing money have been sacked, but Blatter has never been touched.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Several monocentre authors described an improvement in outcome of desmopressin treatment when not terminated abruptly but instead tapered out.

Journal of Pediatric Urology

After an initial bump on launch, VeryFunnyAds' traffic has since tapered out at about 100,000 uniques per month, according to Comscore.

TechCrunch

Pieces of a stand of hair tapered in and then tapered out (and repeated).

WikiHow

Hearts can be made by pressing the brush at and angle and then repeating on the reverse.Lines look better tapered out to a thin nothing then done dark the whole time.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"I haven't lost my skills yet, though they are starting to taper out," Wallace said.

The New York Times - Sports

IF you arrive from the east, which you should, the drive into Laguna Beach can feel like getting lost in the tumbleweed twang of a cowboy ballad — especially if you take Route 133, the Laguna Canyon Road, which winds through towering expanses of sepia-toned wilderness before tapering out close to the Pacific.

The New York Times - Travel

you can see here how it tapers out to a relatively thick point where the hinge attaches to the stand.

TechCrunch

However, the timeframe coincides with the occurrence of the '1930s Dust Bowl' (Schubert et al. 2004) with most of the decade characterized by extreme drought, dust storms and catastrophic vegetation failure, with the environmental repercussions presumably tapering out over the next decade.

Evolutionary Applications

Head characteristics: All registered Highland cattle have horns, which taper out and up; older cattle have horns that also taper out at the tips, similar to longhorn cattle.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tapered out" when you want to describe a gradual decrease in something over time, such as enthusiasm for a project or the intensity of a storm. Make sure the context implies a slow decline rather than an abrupt stop.

Common error

Avoid using "tapered out" when describing situations that end suddenly or abruptly. This phrase is best suited for gradual declines, not immediate stops.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tapered out" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a process of gradual reduction or decline. Ludwig provides examples showing its use across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

22%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tapered out" is a phrasal verb that describes a gradual decline or reduction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki articles. The phrase implies a slow and steady decline rather than an abrupt stop, making it crucial to use it accurately. While several alternatives exist, like "diminished" or "faded away", they differ in their specific nuances and should be chosen carefully to match the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

petered out

Implies a slow and disappointing end, often used when something fails to reach its expected conclusion.

decreased gradually

Emphasizes the gradual reduction but is more descriptive and less idiomatic than the original.

lessened gradually

Highlights the gradual nature of the reduction but lacks the idiomatic feel of the original phrase.

diminished

Focuses on a reduction in size, importance, or intensity. It's a more general term and lacks the gradual implication of the original phrase.

dwindled

Refers to a reduction in quantity or size, often implying scarcity or insufficiency.

faded away

Suggests a more subtle and less abrupt disappearance or decline, often implying a loss of visibility or audibility.

waned

Indicates a decline in power, influence, or intensity, often used in formal or literary contexts.

subsided

Often used for emotions, activity, or natural phenomena like storms, indicating a return to a normal or calmer state.

eased off

Suggests a reduction in pressure or intensity, often used in relation to effort or exertion.

thinned out

Implies a reduction in density or concentration, often used for physical objects or populations.

FAQs

What does "tapered out" mean?

"Tapered out" means to gradually decrease or diminish until it eventually stops. It implies a slow and steady decline in intensity, size, or amount.

How can I use "tapered out" in a sentence?

You can use "tapered out" to describe how enthusiasm for a project "petered out" over time, or how a storm's intensity "subsided" gradually.

What are some alternatives to "tapered out"?

Alternatives include "diminished", "decreased gradually", or "faded away", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something "tapered out quickly"?

While grammatically correct, saying something "tapered out quickly" can be contradictory. The phrase implies a gradual decrease, so using it with "quickly" might create confusion. Consider using a different phrase that conveys a faster decline, such as "dropped off".