underlying trend

USAGE SUMMARY

"underlying trend" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a pattern or tendency in a set of data or information that will likely continue over time, even though the results may vary. For example: "The underlying trend shows a steady increase in profits over the last three years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The underlying trend may be modestly upwards.

The Economist

But that will not change the underlying trend, he said.

The New York Times

The statistics indicate an underlying trend of steady growth in museum attendance.

The New York Times - Arts

It meant that they overlooked the important underlying trend of gradually declining readerships.

The Guardian

Economists said the underlying trend in orders remained firm, and they expect manufacturers to perform well this year.

The New York Times

The ONS considers the quarterly comparison a better guide to the underlying trend than one month's data.

The Guardian - Business

Analysts said the underlying trend was even worse after a recent increase in energy production following the unseasonably heavy rain.

The Guardian

Whatever the underlying trend, there is no doubt that the industry remains very depressed.

The New York Times

Although an advertising recovery will rebalance such firms somewhat, the underlying trend is clear.

The Economist

The underlying trend in factory output is the weakest since the start of 2013.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The underlying trend-logic of this strategy previously turned on the belief in a societal surge toward the finer things — a nation "trading up" into new "masstige" lifestyles.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When analyzing data, focus on the "underlying trend" rather than short-term fluctuations to get a clearer picture of long-term developments.

Common error

Avoid mistaking temporary spikes or dips for the "underlying trend". Always consider a sufficiently long timeframe to discern the actual direction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underlying trend" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a general direction or pattern within a larger set of data or events. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples from varied sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "underlying trend" is a commonly used noun phrase that refers to a general pattern or direction, often used in contrast to short-term fluctuations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it's frequently found in contexts such as News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. Identifying the "underlying trend" is crucial for informed decision-making. Be careful not to confuse short-term volatility with genuine trends and consider using alternatives like "prevailing tendency" or "general direction" to add variety to your writing. This expression is helpful for providing context and predicting future developments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevailing tendency

Focuses on the dominant nature of the trend.

fundamental pattern

Emphasizes the foundational aspect of the trend.

general direction

Highlights the overall movement or course.

basic drift

Suggests a gradual and consistent movement.

inherent inclination

Indicates a natural or built-in tendency.

long-term movement

Highlights the timeframe and sustained nature of the trend.

structural shift

Points to a fundamental change in the underlying structure.

latent pattern

Implies a hidden or not-yet-obvious trend.

dominant course

Focuses on the leading or most influential trajectory.

primary tendency

Highlights the main or most important tendency.

FAQs

How can I identify the "underlying trend" in a dataset?

To identify the "underlying trend", use techniques like moving averages or trend lines to smooth out short-term fluctuations and reveal the overall direction.

What is the difference between "underlying trend" and seasonal variation?

The "underlying trend" represents the long-term direction, while seasonal variation refers to predictable, recurring fluctuations within a year.

What are some alternatives to "underlying trend"?

You can use alternatives like "prevailing tendency", "general direction", or "fundamental pattern" to convey a similar meaning.

How does the "underlying trend" affect decision-making?

Understanding the "underlying trend" helps in making informed decisions by providing a long-term perspective, mitigating the impact of short-term noise or volatility.