downward trend
Declining pattern
Use it to describe a steady decline in quality, quantity, or frequency over time.
Em 15 segundos
- A consistent pattern of things decreasing or getting worse.
- Used for data, habits, or general quality over time.
- Common in business, news, and daily health tracking.
Significado
Imagine a graph where the line is slowly sliding toward the floor. It means something is consistently decreasing or getting worse over a period of time.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Discussing business sales
We've noticed a downward trend in shoe sales this quarter.
We've noticed a downward trend in shoe sales this quarter.
Talking about personal habits
My gym attendance has hit a bit of a downward trend lately.
My gym attendance has hit a bit of a downward trend lately.
Texting a friend about a TV show
The writing in this series is on a downward trend; season 1 was better.
The writing in this series is on a downward trend; season 1 was better.
Contexto cultural
The phrase gained massive popularity with the rise of modern stock market reporting. In Western business culture, 'up' is synonymous with 'good' and 'down' is 'bad,' reflecting a deep-seated cultural metaphor of verticality. Interestingly, it is often used euphemistically in politics to avoid saying the word 'failure.'
Pair it with Adjectives
To sound more natural, add an adjective like 'slight', 'steady', or 'sharp' before 'downward trend'.
Don't confuse with 'Downward Spiral'
A 'trend' is a pattern, but a 'spiral' means things are getting worse very fast and out of control.
Em 15 segundos
- A consistent pattern of things decreasing or getting worse.
- Used for data, habits, or general quality over time.
- Common in business, news, and daily health tracking.
What It Means
Downward trend describes a situation that is steadily dropping. It is not a one-time dip. It is a pattern of decline. Think of a slide at a playground. Once you start going down, you keep going. It is used for numbers, moods, or even quality.
How To Use It
Use it as a noun phrase. You can say something 'shows' or 'follows' a downward trend. It works perfectly with verbs like observe or notice. You can also describe it as a worrying downward trend. This adds a bit of emotion to your data. Just don't use it for a single bad day. It needs to be a series of events.
When To Use It
You will hear this a lot in business meetings. It is great for discussing sales or stock prices. Use it when talking about your health, like 'my caffeine intake'. It works for social habits too. If your friends are partying less, that is a downward trend. It sounds smart but is easy to understand.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for physical objects falling. If you drop your phone, that is not a downward trend. That is just gravity being mean. Avoid it for sudden, sharp crashes. A downward trend is usually a bit more gradual. Also, do not use it for things that are improving. Even if the number of 'problems' goes down, we usually call that 'improvement' instead.
Cultural Background
Western culture is obsessed with growth and 'upward' movement. Because of this, a downward trend is almost always seen as negative. It comes from the world of statistics and economics. In the 1980s, it became a common 'corporate-speak' term. Now, it is used by everyone from meteorologists to fitness influencers.
Common Variations
You might hear people say on the decline. Another common one is downward spiral. Be careful with downward spiral though. That one is much more dramatic and usually means things are out of control. Downward trend is the calmer, more analytical cousin. You can also use negative trend if you want to sound extra clinical.
Notas de uso
This phrase is a safe bet for almost any situation. It is professional enough for a boardroom but simple enough for a text message. Just remember it implies a pattern, not a one-off event.
Pair it with Adjectives
To sound more natural, add an adjective like 'slight', 'steady', or 'sharp' before 'downward trend'.
Don't confuse with 'Downward Spiral'
A 'trend' is a pattern, but a 'spiral' means things are getting worse very fast and out of control.
The 'Good' Downward Trend
In the West, a downward trend is usually bad, UNLESS you are talking about debt, weight, or crime rates!
Exemplos
6We've noticed a downward trend in shoe sales this quarter.
We've noticed a downward trend in shoe sales this quarter.
Professional way to deliver bad news about numbers.
My gym attendance has hit a bit of a downward trend lately.
My gym attendance has hit a bit of a downward trend lately.
A relatable way to admit you are being a bit lazy.
The writing in this series is on a downward trend; season 1 was better.
The writing in this series is on a downward trend; season 1 was better.
Used to describe declining quality of entertainment.
The quality of snacks at these parties is in a serious downward trend.
The quality of snacks at these parties is in a serious downward trend.
Using 'big' words for a small, funny complaint.
There is a worrying downward trend in the number of local bookstores.
There is a worrying downward trend in the number of local bookstores.
Expressing sadness about a community change.
The data confirms a downward trend in annual rainfall for the region.
The data confirms a downward trend in annual rainfall for the region.
Standard scientific or formal reporting style.
Teste-se
Choose the best word to complete the sentence about a company's performance.
The CEO is worried because the stock price has shown a ___ trend for six months.
`Downward trend` is the standard collocation for describing a pattern of decline in stock prices.
Identify the context where 'downward trend' fits best.
Since I started eating more vegetables, my blood pressure has followed a ___.
In health contexts, a steady decrease in a measurement like blood pressure is a `downward trend`.
🎉 Pontuação: /2
Recursos visuais
Formality of 'Downward Trend'
Used with friends to complain about habits.
My motivation is on a downward trend.
Standard use in news or general conversation.
There is a downward trend in smoking.
Used in academic or business reports.
The analysis indicates a downward trend.
Where to see a Downward Trend
Economy
Falling interest rates.
Social Media
Losing followers daily.
Environment
Decreasing wildlife populations.
Personal Life
Drinking less soda every week.
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt means something is consistently decreasing over time. For example, if you see a downward trend in prices, it means things are getting cheaper.
Not at all! You can have a downward trend in unemployment, which is actually a very good thing for a country.
No, a trend requires a pattern. If your coffee spilled once, that's an accident; if you spill it every day for a week, that's a downward trend in your coordination.
It is neutral to formal. You can use it in a professional report or while chatting with a friend about your favorite sports team.
The opposite is an upward trend. You use it when numbers or quality are steadily rising.
No, that is grammatically incorrect. Always use the adjective downward followed by the noun trend.
They are very similar! On the decline is slightly more poetic, while downward trend sounds a bit more like you have data to prove it.
It is very common in both! It is a standard term used across the entire English-speaking world.
Yes, you can say someone's mood has been on a downward trend if they have been feeling sadder day by day.
Common verbs include show, exhibit, follow, observe, and reverse. For example, 'We hope to reverse the downward trend soon.'
Frases relacionadas
On the decline
Becoming smaller, fewer, or less important.
Downward spiral
A situation that is getting worse very quickly and uncontrollably.
Negative growth
A polite business term for when an economy is shrinking.
Hitting a slump
A period when performance or success is lower than usual.
Comentários (0)
Faça Login para ComentarComece a aprender idiomas gratuitamente
Comece Grátis