in a decline vs on a decline

Both "in a decline" and "on a decline" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "In a decline" is commonly used to describe a situation where something is decreasing or deteriorating, while "on a decline" is less common and may be used in a more literal sense, such as being physically positioned on a downward slope.

Last updated: March 29, 2024

in a decline

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe a situation where something is decreasing or deteriorating.

This phrase is used to indicate that something is experiencing a decrease or deterioration in quality, quantity, or value.

Examples:

The company is in a decline due to poor management.
Her health is in a decline after the accident.
The economy is in a decline as a result of the pandemic.
The team is in a decline since their star player got injured.
The neighborhood is in a decline because of increased crime rates.

Show examples from the web [+]

Reflecting the continued efforts of fiscal authorities to restrain spending in the light of the need for consolidation, government consumption in the EU increased by 0.5% in 1997, thus resulting in a decline in the ratio to GDP.
Consequently, the revaluation of the net holdings of these currencies resulted in a decline of Euros 2.1 billion in their euro value.
The overall negative picture of the Community industry's situation is in particular translated in a decline of its sales prices and profitability.
The programme expects that, together with the gradual economic recovery, these innovations will result in a decline of the social expenditure-to-GDP ratio as from 2011.
This would result in a decline in their desire for credit, which was not very great anyway, with small and medium-sized enterprises ultimately ending up the victims of this situation.
As regards depopulation, Germany argues that the labour market region of Berlin suffered from a decline of population in recent years, resulting in a decline in demand for housing.
In 2002, Danmarks Nationalbank reduced its lending rate four times, resulting in a decline of the spread over the minimum bid rate on the ECB's main refinancing operations to 20 basis points.
In the long run, learning difficulties worsen employment opportunities and, therefore, result in poverty and social exclusion, as well as in a decline in Europe's competitiveness.
This loss of biodiversity, at the levels of ecosystems, species and genes, is of concern not just because of the important intrinsic value of nature, but also because it results in a decline in 'ecosystem services' which natural systems provide.
In specific terms, piracy entails a shrinkage of the legal music market and results in a decline in legal sales; it therefore affects the viability of the national music recording industry.
regrets that the conciliation procedure does not result in a decline in the number of cases brought before the Court of Justice;
The programme announces tax reform measures, leading to a drop in the share of revenue as a percentage of GDP by 1,8 %, and measures on the expenditure side, resulting in a decline in the expenditure ratio by 2,5 % of GDP.
This, combined with an industry-wide trend of making larger investments and more prudent investment strategies, has resulted in a decline in the supply of investment flowing into the smaller end of the market.
This resulted in a decline in the spread of these two rates against the three-month money market rate of approximately 130 basis points by the end of 2001.
The constant overexploitation of biological resources and environmental pollution have resulted in a decline in biodiversity, and a weakening of the stability and resilience of the entire ecosystem.
The retailers would in consequence suffer a negative effect only if such price increases would result in a decline of the number of pairs of shoes purchased by the consumers.
both real and financial investments have resulted in a decline in the growth of financing and a gradual rebound in the generation of internal funds.

Alternatives:

experiencing a decline
undergoing a decline
going through a decline
suffering a decline
facing a decline

on a decline

This phrase is correct but less commonly used. It may be used in a more literal sense, such as being physically positioned on a downward slope.

This phrase can be used to describe a physical position on a downward slope or incline.