was steadily declining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was steadily declining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is gradually decreasing over time. Example: "The company's profits were steadily declining over the past three years, prompting management to reevaluate their business strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

His turnover rate was high (4.5 per game), but it was steadily declining in recent weeks.

The New York Times - Sports

On the one hand, the BBC had just paid £11m to secure television coverage until May 1996, but on the other the number of hours devoted to the sport on our screens was steadily declining.

The Guardian - Sport

The results found that farmland was steadily declining during the study period.

Land Use Policy

The president has consistently touted the black unemployment rate to credit his presidency, but the number was steadily declining long before he entered office in 2017.

Huffington Post

However, her relationship with Sherry began to deteriorate and she continued making films, but her popularity with audiences was steadily declining.

Wikipedia

Figures from the US Department of Education found the percentage of white students was steadily declining, with minority students in K-12 public schools outnumbering their white counterparts starting in 2014, a trend expected to continue into the next decade.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Advertising dollars had been steadily declining.

The New York Times

The proportion of military veterans has been steadily declining.

The New York Times

Classical music sales have been steadily declining in recent years.

The New York Times - Arts

For the past two decades, the global catch has been steadily declining.

The New Yorker

The number of such episodes has been steadily declining since 2006.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was steadily declining" to describe trends or quantities that are decreasing gradually and consistently over a period of time. This phrase is particularly useful when you want to emphasize the stability and direction of the change.

Common error

Avoid using "was steadily declining" to describe situations where the decrease is sudden or abrupt. The term "steadily" implies a gradual and consistent change, not a sharp drop.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was steadily declining" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a continuous process of decrease. Ludwig AI's examples show it describing trends in data, popularity, sales or resources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was steadily declining" effectively describes a gradual and consistent decrease over time. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct and usable phrase across various contexts, primarily in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. When using this phrase, ensure that the decline is indeed gradual and consistent, not sudden. Alternatives like "was gradually decreasing" or "was consistently diminishing" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances. This phrase is versatile and suitable for both neutral and professional registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was gradually decreasing

Replaces "steadily" with "gradually", emphasizing the slow pace of the decline.

was consistently diminishing

Substitutes "steadily declining" with "consistently diminishing", highlighting the continuous nature of the decrease.

was progressively lessening

Emphasizes that the reduction is happening in distinct steps or stages.

was slowly receding

Implies a more subtle and less abrupt decline than the original phrase.

was continuously falling

Focuses on the 'falling' aspect, highlighting a downward trend without necessarily implying steadiness.

experienced a gradual decrease

Shifts the focus to the experience of a decrease rather than the process of declining.

saw a consistent reduction

Similar to 'experienced a gradual decrease' but replaces decrease with reduction

showed a steady downturn

Replaces "declining" with "downturn", which suggests a negative trend in a business or economic context.

exhibited a progressive weakening

Implies the declining subject is losing strength or effectiveness

was on a downward slope

Figurative language to illustrate the declining trend

FAQs

How can I use "was steadily declining" in a sentence?

You can use "was steadily declining" to describe a gradual and consistent decrease over time. For example, "The company's market share "was steadily declining" due to increased competition".

What are some alternatives to "was steadily declining"?

Alternatives include "was gradually decreasing", "was consistently diminishing", or "was slowly receding" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "was steadily declining" in formal writing?

Yes, "was steadily declining" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to describe a gradual decrease.

What's the difference between "was steadily declining" and "declined sharply"?

"Was steadily declining" indicates a gradual and consistent decrease over time, while "declined sharply" indicates a sudden and significant drop. The choice depends on the nature of the change you are describing.