declining
/dɪˈklaɪn/ (bre, ipa) · [dɪklˈaɪnɪŋ] /dɪˈklaɪn/ (ame, ipa) · /dɪˈklaɪnɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [dɪklˈaɪnɪŋ] /dɪˈklaɪnɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [dɪklˈaɪnɪŋ] /di-ˈklī-niŋ dē-/ (ame, mw)
declining — verb
- decliningpresent simple I / you / we / they
- declinings3rd person singular
- declininging-ing form
- decliningedpast simple
1. to become smaller in number, weaker in strength, or lower in quality over a peri
to become smaller in number, weaker in strength, or lower in quality over a period of time
Asher noticed that his energy levels were declining as he got older.
decline + adverb phrase showing time
The number of students at the village school has been declining for years.
decline + for [time period]
Jin read a report showing that fish populations in the lake are declining fast.
Car sales in the region declined sharply after the new tax was introduced.
The quality of tap water in that area has been declining since the factory opened.
- decrease
more general and less formal; used for numbers and amounts
- drop
implies a sudden or significant fall; more informal
- deteriorate
focuses on things getting worse in quality, not quantity
文法句型
decline + adverb/prepositional phrase
用法筆記
Often used with adverbs that describe speed or degree, such as sharply, steadily, rapidly, or gradually. The subject is usually a quantity, a measurement, or a measurable quality.
常見錯誤
2. to say no to an offer, invitation, or request in a polite way
to say no to an offer, invitation, or request in a polite way
Linh politely declined the invitation to the conference because of a prior commitment.
decline + invitation/offer/request
Greta declined to comment on the rumours when reporters asked her outside the courthouse.
decline to + infinitive
Baraka was offered a promotion but declined it, saying he preferred his current role.
When the waiter brought the dessert menu, Aylin smiled and declined with a wave of her hand.
The ambassador declined the gift, explaining that government rules did not allow her to accept it.
文法句型
decline + noun phrase (offer/invitation/request)
decline to + infinitive
用法筆記
More formal than refuse or say no. Common in professional and diplomatic contexts. If the object is a that-clause, use decline to + infinitive instead (not decline that).
常見錯誤
3. to show or list all the grammatical forms a word can take depending on its funct
to show or list all the grammatical forms a word can take depending on its function in a sentence — for instance, whether it acts as the subject or the object of a verb
In Latin class, the teacher asked the students to decline the noun 'puella' through all its cases.
decline + noun in [language]
German adjectives decline to show the gender and case of the noun they describe.
The textbook explained how to decline Russian nouns in six different grammatical cases.
Languages that decline their nouns are called inflectional languages, unlike Chinese which does not use case endings.
Professor Nakamura spent the whole lesson showing the class how to decline the German definite article.
文法句型
decline + noun/pronoun/adjective
decline in a language
用法筆記
Almost exclusively used in the context of language study and linguistics. The subject can be a person (a language learner or teacher) or a word itself (this noun declines in four cases). Also used transitively (the teacher declined the noun) and intransitively (the noun declines).
常見錯誤
declining — adjective
- decliningpositive
- more decliningcomparative
- most decliningsuperlative
1. becoming less successful, less powerful, or less active; decreasing in number, a
becoming less successful, less powerful, or less active; decreasing in number, amount, or quality
The declining membership of the club worried its board of directors.
declining + noun (membership/sales/population)
Beatrix moved away from the city because of its declining job opportunities.
Farmers in the region face declining rainfall and hotter summers each year.
Hannah wrote an article about the declining number of public libraries in rural towns.
The company's declining profits forced it to close three of its factories last month.
用法筆記
Used attributively (before a noun) to describe something that is in the process of getting worse. Unlike the verb form, the adjective cannot take adverbs like 'sharply' after it.
常見錯誤
2. relating to the final part of someone's life, when their health or strength is b
relating to the final part of someone's life, when their health or strength is becoming weaker
Reema's grandfather spent his declining years gardening and reading history books.
declining years / declining days
Ayesha's grandmother wrote her memoirs during her declining years so the family would remember their stories.
The painter created some of his finest works in his declining years despite failing eyesight.
Jin's parents plan to move to a smaller house in their declining years to simplify their lives.
The documentary followed three elderly musicians through their declining years as they prepared for a final concert.
- old age
neutral term without the nuance of weakening; simply refers to being old
- twilight years
more poetic; suggests the end of a long life
- final years
neutral and factual; does not imply frailty
用法筆記
Almost always used in the phrase declining years or declining days. Carries a respectful, slightly formal tone. Often preceded by a possessive (his/her/their).