upward arc

USAGE SUMMARY

"upward arc" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you are describing a path that curves up, such as the trajectory of a thrown object or the course of a graph. For example, "The upward arc of the ball landed in the top corner of the net."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Although the examples presented in Figure 3 produced a sweeping upward arc, downward arcing have also been commonly observed.

BMC Biotechnology

That upward arc looks true, so far.

The New York Times - Sports

Vick has himself on a pretty upward arc.

The New York Times

Most of the young residents of Finley Forest were on an upward arc in life.

The New Yorker

The upward arc of the storm-sturge is a shout of triumph and a leap of the heart.

The Guardian - Books

(The data for 2011 is not yet final, but most researchers believe the numbers have continued their upward arc).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

He completes his strokes with graceful upward arcs even after they have done their damage.

The New York Times

Try to stay on the low end of your natural range and avoid upward arcs and the like.

The Washington Post

History has its upward arcs, but most crises require weighing unknowns against unknowns, and choosing between competing evils.

The New York Times

Maraniss shows us that periods of progressive politics — and one of the most heartbreaking things in his chronicle is the certainty, of Dr. King among others, that Detroit was at the onset of an upward-moving arc — coincide not with periods of heightened despair but with periods of rising expectations.

The New Yorker

"Friend of Mine" is ten tracks of beats that arc upward and swoon back down, synthesizers and effects, and soulful vocal samples stripped down to a single phrase.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical shapes or movements, ensure the context clearly indicates a curved or arcing path.

Common error

Avoid using "upward arc" solely to indicate a general increase without implying a curved or progressive path. Instead, use terms like "increase" or "growth" if a curve isn't relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upward arc" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. Ludwig examples show it describes trajectories, trends, and developments. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upward arc" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that effectively describes increasing trends, trajectories, or developments with a curved path. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to use "upward arc" when specifically implying a curved or progressive upward movement rather than a general increase. Some alternatives for similar concepts are "ascending curve" or "rising trajectory". Understanding its nuances is crucial for accurate and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ascending curve

Focuses on the curved nature of the ascent.

rising trajectory

Emphasizes the path and direction of the ascent.

increasing trend

Highlights the general tendency to move upwards over time.

climbing path

Focuses on the idea of steadily going up.

skyward trajectory

Emphasizes the direction of the movement towards the sky.

growth pattern

Highlights the increasing size or scale.

positive climb

Emphasizes the gain and the nature of the climb.

progressing incline

Focuses on the gradual nature of the upward movement.

escalating development

Highlights the gradual increase in development.

upturning trend

Highlights the reversal of a downward trend.

FAQs

How can I use "upward arc" in a sentence?

Use "upward arc" to describe a trend, trajectory, or development that is increasing over time and potentially following a curved path. For example: "The company's profits followed an "upward arc" after the new product launch."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "upward arc"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "ascending curve", "rising trajectory", or "increasing trend".

Is it correct to say "downward arc" instead of "upward arc" in certain situations?

Yes, "downward arc" is correct when describing a decreasing trend or a path curving downwards. The choice depends on the direction of the movement or trend you're describing.

What's the difference between "upward arc" and "upward trend"?

"Upward arc" suggests a curved or progressive increase, while "upward trend" simply indicates a general increase over time without necessarily implying a curve.