Episode 5

【✏ Writing-Wise Series ✒】

[Standardized English exams]

In the previous two issues, we focused on statistics at a specific point of time.  In fact, there are many occasions in which you are required to describe the changes of numbers over a certain period of time, say within a few days, a few months, or even many years (linguistically speaking, diachronically), just like what you see in the picture attached.

You may think it is very easy to describe such changes in numbers – using “increase” ↗ and “decrease” ↘ already suffices!  However, as you may know, with only these two words, you might give your readers an impression of lack of variety.  On the other hand, how can you deal with the different degrees in the changes?  Just consider ↗ and ⤴; ↘ and ⤵! 🤨

Let me suggest a diversity of verbs describing trends:

📈 moderate/gradual increase ↗:

increase, go up, gain, rise, ascend, grow, climb, escalate, mount, …

📈 sharp increase ⤴:

jump, leap, rocket, skyrocket, soar, shoot up, surge, elevate, spiral, …

📉 moderate/gradual decrease ↘:

decrease, drop, fall, decline, dip, be reduced, diminish, descend, dwindle, shrink, abate, …

📉 sharp decrease ⤵:

plunge, plummet, slump, spiral downward, nosedive, …

You might also consider using adjectives or adverbs, along with the verbs presenting gradual increases or decreases above:

⤴/⤵ sharp changes:

large(ly), great(ly), shar(ly), rapid(ly), swift(ly), substantial(ly), considerable/y, significant(ly), tremendous(ly), dramatical(ly), drastical(ly), enormous(ly), steep(ly), remarkable/y, stark(ly), …

↗/↘ moderate or small changes:

slight(ly), modest(ly), moderate(ly), stable/y, gentle/y, gradual(ly), steady/ily, mild(ly), minimal(ly)

Besides the basic presentation of increases and decreases, along with the degree of changes, other elements have to be taken into account 🤔, e.g. the highest or lowest point over the period of time.  Stay tuned for the next issue. 😉