What is declining? Pronunciation and usage in English

declining means . Learn how to pronounce and use declining through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of declining

decliningadjective

/dɪˈklʌɪnɪŋ/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "declining" in English. Here's a breakdown with phonetic spelling and tips:

Phonetic Spelling (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

/dɪˈlaɪnɪŋ/

Breakdown:

  • di: Like the "dee" in "dinner" - a short, clear "d" sound.
  • lay: Like the word "lay" (past tense of "to lay") – a long "a" sound.
  • nin: This is the tricky part. It sounds like "nin" as in "nine" but with a slightly more drawn-out vowel sound. It’s not quite like saying "nine" quickly. Think about blending the "n" sound with a short "i" sound.
  • ing: As in most words, this is the "-ing" suffix, pronounced like "ing."

Putting it all together, it sounds like:

“Di-lay-nin-ing”

Tips for Pronunciation:

  • Stress: The stress is on the second syllable: di-LAY-nin-ing. You’ll emphasize “LAY” more than “nin.”
  • The “nin” sound: This is the key. Practice saying “nine” slowly and then try to shorten the “i” sound slightly. Some people hear a subtle "eh" sound in there, but it's more of a quick blend.
  • Listen to Examples: The best way to learn is to hear it. Here are some resources:
    • Google Search: Search for “how to pronounce declining” on YouTube. You'll find many audio examples.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/declining/ – This website allows you to hear native speakers pronounce the word.

Would you like me to:

  • Give you some practice phrases using "declining"?
  • Focus on a specific aspect of the pronunciation (like the “nin” sound)?

Usage and examples with the word declining in English

Let's break down how to use the word "declining" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different nuances, so understanding those is key.

1. As a Verb (Meaning: To Decrease)

  • Basic Meaning: This is the most common usage. "Declining" means something is getting smaller, fewer, or less.

    • Examples:
      • "The population of the town is declining." (The population is getting smaller.)
      • "Sales have been declining for the past three quarters." (Sales are decreasing.)
      • “My eyesight is declining with age.” (My vision is getting worse.)
      • "The value of the currency is declining against the dollar." (The currency's worth is dropping.)

2. As an Adjective (Meaning: Decreasing; Falling)

  • When it modifies a noun: "Declining" describes something that is decreasing.

    • Examples:
      • "We’ve seen a declining trend in voter turnout." (The trend is decreasing – turnout is getting lower.)
      • “There’s a declining interest in classical music among young people.” (Interest is falling.)
      • “The declining health of the patient worried the doctors.” (The patient’s health is worsening.)

3. Specific Contexts & Nuances:

  • Declining Health: This refers to someone’s health getting worse. “His health is declining.”
  • Declining Standards: This suggests a lowering of quality or morality. "There’s been a general decline in standards of education."
  • Declining Influence/Power: This describes a loss of importance or control. “The empire's influence was declining.”
  • A declining offer/request: This means an offer or request is becoming less attractive or desirable. “The company is declining the partnership proposal.”

4. Synonyms:

Using synonyms can help you vary your language and avoid overuse of "declining." Here are some options:

  • Decreasing: (Very close synonym)
  • Falling: (Good for trends and amounts)
  • Reducing: (More formal, often used for amounts)
  • Diminishing: (Similar to declining, slightly more formal)
  • Worsening: (Specifically for health or conditions)
  • Sinking: (Implies a faster, more dramatic decrease)

5. Common Phrases:

  • Declining in popularity: Becoming less well-liked or used.
  • A declining economy: An economy that is shrinking or not growing.
  • To decline an invitation: To refuse an offer.

Tips for Using "Declining" Effectively:

  • Be specific: Instead of just saying “declining,” try to explain why something is declining. (e.g., "Sales are declining due to increased competition.")
  • Consider the context: The meaning of "declining" can shift slightly depending on the situation.
  • Use it purposefully: "Declining" is a strong word. Use it when you genuinely want to convey a sense of a negative trend or reduction.

Could you give me an example sentence you'd like me to analyze, or a specific situation where you're trying to use "declining"? That way, I can give you even more targeted advice.

Synonyms for the word declining

Idioms of the word declining

somebody’s declining years
(literary)the last years of somebody’s life

    Practice with vocabulary declining

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The latest economic report indicates that consumer spending has been steadily ____________ over the past quarter.
    2. To enhance efficiency, the project manager proposed ____________ the number of unnecessary meetings.
    3. After much deliberation, the committee decided on ____________ the controversial proposal due to budget constraints.
    4. Without proper maintenance, the historical landmark's condition began ____________ rapidly.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (select all that apply)

    1. Many environmental organizations are deeply concerned about the rapidly ____________ population of several endangered species. (a) expanding (b) flourishing (c) diminishing (d) declining (e) growing

    2. Despite their initial interest, the investors ultimately chose to ____________ the startup's funding request. (a) accept (b) approve (c) reject (d) endorse (e) refuse

    3. The professor explained the company's decision for ____________ the lucrative overseas expansion plan. (a) pursuing (b) accepting (c) declining (d) approving (e) foregoing

    4. The overall quality of customer service has been noticeably ____________ since the new automated system was implemented. (a) improving (b) deteriorating (c) enhancing (d) worsening (e) advancing

    5. Economists are closely monitoring the country's ____________ birth rate and its potential long-term social impacts. (a) increasing (b) rising (c) expanding (d) decreasing (e) declining

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The number of active users on the platform has gone down significantly over the last month. Rewrite using "declining" or a related word form:
    2. She politely said no to the job offer because it required extensive travel. Rewrite using a suitable replacement word (not "declining"):
    3. The health of the elderly patient started to worsen after the new medication regimen. Rewrite using "declining" or a related word form:

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. declining
    2. reducing
    3. declining
    4. deteriorating

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. (c) diminishing, (d) declining
    2. (c) reject, (e) refuse
    3. (c) declining, (e) foregoing
    4. (b) deteriorating, (d) worsening
    5. (d) decreasing, (e) declining

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The number of active users on the platform has been declining significantly over the last month.
    2. She politely refused the job offer because it required extensive travel.
    3. The health of the elderly patient started declining after the new medication regimen.

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