DESCRIBING TRENDS

UP

rise (v)

Production costs rose to their highest level of the year in July

rise (n)

There was a rise in production costs to the highest level of the year in July.

go up (v)

Between 7900 and 2000, the population went up by over a million people.

grow (grew, grown) (v)

The number of first-time users grew rapidly in 2015.

growth (n)

There was a rapid growth in the number of first-time users in 2015.

increase (v)

The numbers of cyclists increased between 2005 and 2010.

increase (n)

There was an increase in the number of cyclists between 2005 and 2010.

DOWN

decline (v)

The construction of new homes declined for ten years in succession.

decline (n)

There was a decline in the number of new homes for ten years in succession.

go down (v)

After a brief rise, imports went down again.

decrease (v)

Average test scores decreased at three of the schools.

decrease (n)

There was a decrease in test scores at three of the schools.

drop (v)

In 2008, foreign investment dropped by over 20%.

drop (n)

In 2008, there was a drop in foreign investment of over 20%.

fall (fell, fallen) (v)

The number of overseas students fell in 2013.

fall (n)

There was a fall in the number of international students in 2013.

SAME

stay the same

The company's market share stayed the same.

remain constant

For three months, the percentage remained constant.

UP AND DOWN

fluctuate (v)

The number of seasonal workers employed by the company fluctuates each year.

fluctuation (n)

There have been fluctuations in the number of seasonal workers employed by the company.

go up and down (v)

Fares have gone up and down over the last few months.

ADVERBS AND ADJECTIVES

UP OR DOWN QUICKLY

rapidly (adv) The number of smartphones in use has risen rapidly over the last ten years.

rapid (adj) In this decade, there was a rapid increase in smartphone use.

suddenly (adv) Employment figures dropped suddenly during the following ten years.

sudden (adj) The next decade saw a sudden decrease in employment figures.

sharply (adv) The price of textbooks rose sharply.

sharp (adj) There was a sharp rise in the price of textbooks.

dramatically (adv) Exports fell dramatically last year

dramatic (adj) There was a dramatic fall in exports last year

significantly (adv) Property taxes rose significantly in 2074.

significant (adj) There was a significant rise in property taxes in 2014.

steeply (adv) The number of people attending the event increased steeply in 2013.

steep (adj) The year 2013 saw a steep increase in the number of people attending the event.

major (adj) A major expansion of the company's marketing department is expected in the next few years.

UP OR DOWN MORE SLOWLY

steadily (adv) The number of tourists visiting the park rose steadily.

steady (adj) The park experienced a steady increase in the number of tourists.

gradually (adv) The population of the province gradually declined.

gradual (adj.) There was a gradual decline in the population of the province.

slightly (adv) Bus fares may go up slightly.

slight (adj) A slight increase in bus fares is expected.

minor (adj) There were minor fluctuations in the value of raw materials.