trend line

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trend line" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in statistical analysis, data visualization, and financial contexts to refer to a line that represents the general direction of data points over time. Example: "The trend line indicates a steady increase in sales over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The trend line is clear.

The New York Times

The important thing is the trend line.

The New Yorker

Derek's trend line started at a very high bar.

The New York Times - Sports

"The trend line is heading in the right direction".

The New York Times

"The unemployment trend line is troubling," she said.

The New York Times

In either case, the trend line is ominous.

The New Yorker

It's the trend line, coupled with the poll's detailed findings.

The New Yorker

See the dashed trend line in the graph.

The Washington Post

"Everything is on a positive trend line," General Lyon said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It does show a positive long term-trend (line a).

Forbes

But the health-trend line is good, not bad.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing data, use "trend line" to objectively show the general direction and avoid subjective interpretations. For instance, instead of saying "the data is improving", state "the trend line shows an upward trajectory".

Common error

Avoid assuming that because a "trend line" indicates a correlation between two variables, one directly causes the other. Always consider other potential factors and avoid stating causation without sufficient evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trend line" functions as a noun, typically used to identify a line on a graph representing the general direction of data. As Ludwig AI shows, it's often used to objectively describe patterns in various fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trend line" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe a line on a graph that indicates the general direction of data points. As Ludwig AI confirms, it finds frequent use across diverse fields, including news, science, and business. While typically neutral in register, it can shift towards formal and scientific contexts in academic or research settings. When writing, it's crucial to accurately represent the underlying trend and avoid misinterpreting correlation as causation. Alternatives such as "line of best fit" or "data trend" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

line of best fit

Focuses on the statistical method of finding the best-fitting line through a set of data points.

data trend

Highlights the overall direction or pattern observed in data.

general direction

Emphasizes the overarching direction or course of movement, often in a non-technical context.

prevailing tendency

Stresses the dominant or most common inclination or pattern.

overall pattern

Focuses on the complete configuration or arrangement of data or events.

development path

Indicates the course of progress or evolution of something over time.

growth trajectory

Specifically refers to the projected path of growth or increase.

statistical trend

Highlights the overall pattern in the data analyzed using statistical methods.

market tendency

Refers to the common patterns or behaviors in market trends.

historical trend

Describes trends identified from past events or data.

FAQs

How can I use "trend line" in a sentence?

You can use "trend line" to describe a general direction in data, as in "The "trend line" on the graph shows a steady increase in sales".

What is another way to say "trend line"?

Alternatives to "trend line" include "line of best fit", "data trend", or "general direction" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between a "trend line" and a "trend"?

Yes, a "trend line" is a visual representation of a "trend" on a graph. A "trend" is a general direction in which something is developing or changing.

When is it appropriate to use the term "trend line"?

The term "trend line" is appropriate when you are analyzing data presented graphically and want to describe the general direction or pattern it shows. Avoid using it in contexts where there is no data to represent, prefer alternatives such as "prevailing tendency".