Describing Trends
There are two main grammatical structures we can use to describe trends. This may come up in a line graph, bar chart or when comparing more than one chart.
There + be + adj. + noun + in + noun phrase
Example:
There was a gradual rise in the price of oil.
There has been a sharp drop in the price of oil.
Possible adjectives
Gradual, moderate, modest, sharp, dramatic, slight, steep, steady, significant, considerable, rapid
Possible nouns:
Variation, decline, decrease, dip, drop, fall, peak, fluctuation, growth, increase, rise, slump
Noun phrase + verb + adverb
Example:
The price of oil rose gradually.
The price of oil has risen dramatically.
Possible verbs:
rise
jump
grow
climb
increase
rocket
fall
drop
decline
decrease
go down
plummet
plunge
Possible adverbs:
gradually
moderately
modestly
sharply
dramatically
slightly
steeply
steadily
significantly
considerably
rapidly
slowly
There are three main ways you can describe increases and decreases.
Noun phrase + verb + adverb
Example:
The price of property fell sharply
The percentage of homes dropped dramatically.
There + be + noun + in + noun phrase
Example:
There was a fall in literacy levels.
There has been an increase in the cost of coffee.
Using fractions
Example:
The price of oil halved in less than a year.
The price of oil has halved since July.
By July, the price of oil has halved.
