to be downward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be downward" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts discussing direction or position, but it is more natural to use "to go down" or "to be facing down." Example: "The arrow is designed to be downward, indicating the direction of the descent."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

If their numbers move, it is liable to be downward.

The New York Times

"The overall level of terrorist activity is considerably less than in the past, and the trend appears to be downward".

The New York Times

"While the banking system reduces its leverage, there will continue to be downward pressure on the supply of credit to businesses and households," King said.

The Guardian - Business

There is no going back for them, yet in the city there is not much going forward; the movement tends to be downward.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I think there will continue to be downward pressure on home prices, that will continue to put downward pressure on all mortgage-related securities.

The Guardian - Business

"If you don't have this, there's going to be downward pressure on demand, anyway, because people aren't going to feel safe to fly".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Tearing motions shall be downward to prevent pulling the detainee off balance".

The New Yorker

"That's not to say there won't be downward pressure on pricing for all three competitors," he says.

Forbes

We observe however, that the BSN and WSN SA models can be downward continued to the CMB without further regularization.

Earth, Planets and Space

The trouble is, a first-quarter 14% fall in pretax profits to $6.1bn£4.2bnbn) is downward pressure of some significance.

The Guardian - Business

Money, training, all need to be pushed downward.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more direct and active verbs like "decline", "decrease", or "fall" for clarity and impact. For example, instead of "the trend is to be downward", try "the trend is declining".

Common error

Avoid using "to be downward" excessively in formal writing. Opt for stronger verbs or more specific adjectives to convey the intended meaning with greater precision and elegance. For instance, prefer "downward trend" over "trend to be downward".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be downward" functions as an infinitive phrase acting as an adjective, typically modifying a noun like "trend", "pressure", or "spiral". It describes the direction or nature of the modified noun. As suggested by Ludwig AI, it can sometimes sound awkward.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to be downward" is used to describe a trend or direction pointing downwards or indicating a decline. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig suggests it can sound awkward and isn't always the most direct or elegant choice. More concise and impactful alternatives like "decline", "decrease", or "fall" are often preferable. This phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. When writing, aim for clarity and precision by selecting stronger verbs or more specific adjectives to convey the intended meaning effectively. Ludwig's AI highlights that, while not incorrect, careful word choice can significantly enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to trend downward

Focuses on the directional movement of a trend.

to be declining

Emphasizes the ongoing process of decreasing.

to be decreasing

Highlights a reduction in quantity or value.

to be falling

Implies a rapid or sudden descent.

to move downward

States a shift in a lower direction.

to head downward

Indicates a trajectory or course toward a lower position.

to be on a downward path

Describes a course or route directed downward.

to experience a downturn

Refers to a decline in economic or business terms.

to see a reduction

Highlights a decrease in quantity or size.

to undergo a descent

Suggests a process of moving from a higher to a lower level.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "to be downward" for better clarity?

You can use stronger verbs such as "decline", "decrease", or "fall". Alternatively, use the adjective "downward" directly as in "downward trend".

Is "to be downward" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "to be downward" can sound awkward. It's generally better to use more direct verbs or adjectives to express the intended meaning with greater clarity.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "to be downward"?

It's appropriate when you want to describe a trend or movement in a downward direction, but consider whether a more direct verb would be clearer and more concise.

What are some synonyms for "to be downward" in the context of economic trends?

Synonyms include "declining", "decreasing", or experiencing a "downturn".