temperature has plunged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "temperature has plunged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant and rapid decrease in temperature, often in the context of weather reports or discussions about climate. Example: "After the cold front moved in, the temperature has plunged to below freezing, causing concern for local farmers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It is snowing outside and the temperature has plunged well below freezing.

The Guardian

In New York City, the shelter system reported an increase of about 250 single adults in the past two weeks as the temperature has plunged, said James Anderson, a spokesman for the Department of Homeless Services.

The New York Times

As Israel, Iran and the United States play their messy games of cat and mouse and musical chairs, the temperature has plunged to cold-warring with sanctions that have hurt Iran's people while helping the regime.

The New York Times - Arts

Between these two majestically staged sequences, everything seems to have changed: the color palette has evolved from the muted earth tones of brown, green and gray into the bright, artificial tints of red, yellow and blue; the open, cloudless Sicilian sky has been replaced by the frescoed ceilings of a palazzo; the temperature has plunged, from midday heat to a twilight chill.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The temperature had plunged below -14C by the time the match had kicked off.

The Guardian - Sport

It had snowed a few days before, then had warmed up, and then the temperature had plunged again.

The New Yorker

His core temperature had plunged dangerously low, he was quaking, and muscle damage plagued him for weeks.

The New York Times

At 4 p.m., the winds had dropped to 15 m.p.h. in Central Park and the temperature had plunged more than 20 degrees, to 37. "Now you just have to worry about some snow on Thursday," said Jeff Warner, a meteorologist at Pennsylvania State University.

The New York Times

By the time we finished shooting that sequence, my arms were like rubber, my body temperature had plunged. 5. Patrick Swayze almost tried to use all of his power to cut the now iconic line... "I hated that line, 'Nobody puts Baby in a corner,'" Patrick Swayze told AFI.

Huffington Post

Temperatures had plunged to the 20s, he added.

The New York Times

In a winter in which stock prices and temperatures have plunged, a scene on the Lower East Side of Manhattan defies the notion of scaling back in bad times.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "temperature has plunged" to create a vivid image of a sudden and significant decrease in temperature. This phrase works well in news reports and descriptive writing where impact is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "temperature has plunged" in highly formal or scientific reports where a more neutral phrase like "temperature has decreased significantly" might be more appropriate. Check the register and audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "temperature has plunged" functions as a declarative statement describing a notable and rapid decrease in temperature. This usage is supported by the examples found by Ludwig, indicating its role in reporting weather conditions or dramatic shifts in environmental states.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "temperature has plunged" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that effectively conveys a sudden and significant drop in temperature. Ludwig AI validates this with examples primarily from News & Media sources. While appropriate for news reports and descriptive writing, it may be too dramatic for formal scientific contexts where a more neutral term like "temperature has decreased significantly" might be preferred. Related phrases include "temperature plummeted" and "temperature dropped sharply", offering alternative ways to express the same concept. The phrase's effectiveness lies in its ability to create a vivid image of rapid temperature decline.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

temperature plummeted

Replaces "plunged" with a stronger synonym, "plummeted", emphasizing a rapid and significant drop.

temperature nosedived

Uses "nosedived" to illustrate a steep and sudden fall in temperature.

temperature dropped sharply

Substitutes "has plunged" with "dropped sharply" for a more direct description of the temperature decrease.

temperature fell drastically

Replaces "has plunged" with "fell drastically", indicating a major reduction in temperature.

temperature took a steep dive

Uses the idiom "took a steep dive" to convey a sudden and dramatic decrease in temperature.

there was a sharp drop in temperature

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the sudden change in temperature as a noun phrase.

temperature decreased significantly

Employs "decreased significantly" for a more formal and less dramatic description of the temperature change.

temperature declined rapidly

Uses "declined rapidly" to illustrate a quick reduction in temperature.

the mercury plunged

Uses "the mercury plunged", an idiomatic way of referring to a rapid drop in temperature.

temperature bottomed out

Suggests the temperature reached its lowest point.

FAQs

What does "temperature has plunged" mean?

It means the temperature has decreased suddenly and significantly. It suggests a rapid and often unexpected drop.

What can I say instead of "temperature has plunged"?

You can use alternatives like "temperature plummeted", "temperature dropped sharply", or "temperature fell drastically" depending on the context.

Is "temperature has plunged" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "temperature has plunged" might be too dramatic for formal scientific reports. Consider using a more neutral term like "temperature decreased significantly" in such cases.

How do I use "temperature has plunged" in a sentence?

Use it to describe a situation where the temperature falls rapidly. For example: "After the storm moved in, the temperature has plunged below freezing."