1. The figure has had an increase of approximately 10% since 2012.
2. The interest rate was raised by 2% over the decade.
Downward trends
Downward movements indicate a decline in a number or figure. There is a
list of words to describe these trends.
Nouns to describe downward trends:
A decline/a fall/a drop/a decrease/a downward movement/a reduction/a
dip/a half
Verbs and phrases to describe downward trends:
Decline(d)/fall
(fell)/drop(ped)/decrease(d)/had
a
downward
movement/plummet(ed)/go
(went)
down/
*
was
reduced/plunge(d)/dip(ped)/halve(d)
*
Note that the verb
“reduce”
is used in the passive voice in task 1.
For example
1. The crime rate was reduced by 5% over the period.
2. The number of cars declined sharply to just above 20% in 2008.
Peak/the highest point
Some trends show how a number or percentage
reaches the highest point
over a period; these points are known as peaks. There is a variety of options
when it comes to describing them.