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.