Lesson 7 of 22
Describing trends and numerical change
Trend language describes movement over time. Separate direction, size, and speed.
| Meaning | Verb | Noun phrase |
|---|---|---|
| Upward movement | rise, increase, grow | a rise, an increase, growth |
| Downward movement | fall, decline, decrease | a fall, a decline, a decrease |
| Little change | remain stable, stay constant | a period of stability |
| Repeated movement | fluctuate | fluctuations |
| Stop changing after movement | level off, plateau | a plateau |
| Highest observed value | peak at, reach a peak of | a peak |
| Return after a fall | recover | a recovery |
“Peak” means the highest relevant point, not simply any high value. “Fluctuate” requires repeated movement; one increase followed by one decrease may be described more precisely in those terms.
Two sentence patterns
Verb + adverb: “Sales increased gradually.”
Adjective + noun: “There was a gradual increase in sales.”
Both are useful. Choose the form that fits your paragraph. Do not write “Sales were a gradual increase.”
Size and speed are different
“Substantial” describes magnitude. “Rapid” describes speed. A large increase over a long period can be substantial without being rapid. A steep segment on a graph suggests quick movement over that interval.
Use strong words such as “surged” or “plummeted” only when the visual justifies them. Simple expressions such as “rose considerably” are often easier to control.
From, to, by, and at
Suppose revenue rises from $40 million to $60 million:
- It rose from $40 million to $60 million: starting and finishing values.
- It rose by $20 million: absolute change.
- It stood at $60 million: level at one time.
- It increased by 50%: relative change, calculated as 20 ÷ 40 × 100.
If a share rises from 20% to 30%, it rises by 10 percentage points, or by 50% relative to its initial share. These statements describe different measurements.
Approximations
Use “approximately,” “around,” “just over,” or “slightly below” when the visual supports an estimate but not an exact reading. If a table gives exactly 1,246, report that accurately when it is useful. Do not turn a clearly incorrect value into an acceptable one by adding “around.”
Tense follows the time
- Completed past period: “The rate fell between 2012 and 2022.”
- Changes continuing to the present: “The rate has fallen since 2012.”
- A labelled projection: “The rate is projected to fall by 2030.”
- Describing what the visual presents: “The chart shows…”
An introduction can use the present tense while its details use the past. The chart exists now; the events it represents may be historical.