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by X% (by X per
dramatically, significantly, considerably, rapidly,
cent), by X (units),
increased substantially, steadily, sharply, markedly, greatly,
from X to Y, tenfold,
slightly, exponentially, proportionally, strongly
fourfold ...
by X% (by X per
rapidly, steadily, slowly, gradually, dramatically,
grew cent), by X (units),
substantially, enormously, quickly
from X to Y
sharply, slowly, steadily, slightly, rapidly, quickly, by X% (by X per
rose dramatically, significantly, substantially, gently, cent), by X (units),
fractionally, considerably, gradually from X to Y
by X% (by X per
went up The above adverbs are not usually used with "went up". cent), by X (units),
from X to Y
How much?
How?
sharply, heavily, slightly, steadily, dramatically,
significantly, considerably, quickly, rapidly, steeply, by X% (by X per cent),
fell gradually, gently, substantially, precipitately, by X (units), from X to
fractionally, drastically, marginally, markedly, Y, tenfold, fourfold ...
progressively, continuously
by X% (by X per cent),
significantly, markedly, slightly, steadily, rapidly,
decreased by X (units), from X to
considerably, continuously, dramatically,
Y, tenfold, fourfold ...
sharply, rapidly, dramatically, steadily, slightly, by X% (by X per cent),
declined markedly, significantly, considerably, steeply, by X (units), from X to
drastically, continuously, substantially, quickly Y
dramatically, sharply, slightly, considerably, steadily,
by X% (by X per cent),
significantly, rapidly, drastically, alarmingly, noticeably,
dropped by X (units), from X to
markedly, radically, abruptly, substantially, gradually,
Y
gently, slowly
by X% (by X per cent),
went The above adverbs are not usually used with "went
by X (units), from X to
down down ".
Y
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Describing Line Graphs (3) - Using Adverbs
The following graphs illustrate the use of some adverbs:
The population rose slowly. (small increase in the population over the period)
The population rose steadily. (little or no variation in the rate of growth)
The population rose slightly. (small increase in the population over the period)
The population rose gently. (small increase in the population over the period)
The population rose gradually. (small increase in the population over the period)
From 1996 to 1998, the population grew from 9.9 million to 10.25 million.
From 1996 to 1998, the population grew by 0.35 million.
From 1996 to 1998, the population grew by 350,000.
From 1996 to 1998, the population grew by 3.535%.
From 1998 to 2007, the population grew from 10.25 million to 10.30 million.
From 1998 to 2007, the population grew by 0.05 million.
From 1998 to 2007, the population grew by 50,000.
From 1998 to 2007, the population grew by 0.488%
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Describing Line Graphs (4) - Using Verbs and
Nouns
So far, we have only used verbs to describe these line graphs but we
can also use nouns. We change the adverbs into adjectives.
The population rose slowly. There was a slow rise in the population.
The population rose steadily. There was a steady rise in the population.
The population rose slightly. There was a slight rise in the population.
The population rose gently. There was a gentle rise in the population.
The population rose gradually. There was a gradual rise in the population.
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From 1996 to 1998, the population increased dramatically. From 1996 to 1998
there was a dramatic increase in the population.
From 1996 to 1998, the population increased significantly. From 1996 to 1998
there was a significant increase in the population.
From 1996 to 1998, the population increased considerably. From 1996 to 1998
there was a considerable increase in the population.
From 1996 to 1998, the population increased rapidly. From 1996 to 1998 there was
a rapid increase in the population.
From 1996 to 1998, the population increased substantially. From 1996 to 1998
there was a substantial increase in the population.
From 1996 to 1998, the population increased markedly. From 1996 to 1998 there
was a dramatic increase in the population.
From 1996 to 1998, the population increased greatly. From 1996 to 1998 there was
a great increase in the population.
After 1998, the population grew more slowly. After 1998, the
population growth was slower.
From 1996 to 1998, the population rose from 9.9 million to 10.25 million. From
1996 to 1998, there was a rise in population from 9.9 million to 10.25 million.
From 1996 to 1998, the population rose by 0.35 million. From 1996 to 1998, there
was a rise in population of 0.35 million.
From 1996 to 1998, the population rose by 350,000. From 1996 to 1998, there
was a rise in population of 350,000.
From 1996 to 1998, the population rose by 3.535%. From 1996 to 1998, there was
a rise in population of 3.535 per cent.
From 1998 to 2007, the population grew from 10.25 million to 10.30 million. From
1998 to 2007, there was a growth in population from 10.25 million to 10.30 million.
From 1998 to 2007, the population grew by 0.05 million. From 1998 to 2007, there
was a growth in population of 0.05 million.
From 1998 to 2007, the population grew by 50,000. From 1998 to 2007, there was
a growth in population of 50,000.
From 1998 to 2007, the population grew by 0.488%. From 1998 to 2007, there
was a growth in population of 0.488 per cent.
Overall, the population went up from 9.9 million to 10.3 million. Overall, there was
a growth in population from 9.9 million to 10.3 million.
Overall, the population went up by 0.4 million. Overall, there was an increase in
population of 0.4 million.
Overall, the population went up by 400,000. Overall, there was a rise in
population of 400,000.
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Overall, the population went up by 4.04%. Overall, there was a growth in
population of 4.04 per cent .
This graph shows the change in population in two countries from 1996 to 2007. In
describing this graph it is important to describe change as in any other graph, but it is also
necessary to make comparisons between the two countries.
What changes are shown by this graph? In this case we can see that the population of
Austria increased from 1996 to 2007.
Also in this graph the Austrian line is fairly smooth, so we can say that the population
increased steadily.
How big was the change in Austria's population? The population in 1996 was 7.95 million
and in 2007 it was 8.3 million. So there was an increase of 0.35 million or 350,000 people.
This change did not happen at the same rate. The population declined steadily from 1996 to
2001, but from 2001 to 2002 the rate of decline was steeper. From 2002 to 2007 the
population fell at a similar rate to the 1996 - 2001 period.
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How far did Bulgaria's population fall? The population in 1996 was nearly 8 million and in
2007 it was 7.7 million. So there was an decrease of nearly 0.7 million or 700,000 people.
What similarities or differences are there between the populations of Austria and Bulgaria?
Austria Bulgaria
Austria's population grew from 1996 to
Bulgaria's population fell from 1996 to 2007.
2007.
Austria's population growth was fairly The rate of decline in Bulgaria's population
steady over the 1996 - 2007 period. varied over the 1996 - 2007 period.
Austria's population increased by 350,000. Bulgaria's population declined by 700,000
Using Approximation
Graphs, charts and tables often give a large number of quite precise
figures (1.54379, 53.25%, 100,001, etc.). You don't always need to give
the same level of precision when you write your description. However, it
is important to indicate that the figures you are giving are not exact. You
can do this by using words such as approximately, about, just over, just
under, etc.
Figure Approximation
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40.5C approximately 40 degrees Celsius
To indicate that a figure is less than your approximation you can use:
Qualifying
Adverb Figure Approximation
Adverb
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over, more than, above
Qualifying
Adverb Figure Approximation
Adverb
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Adverb Figure Approximation
nearly 99,998
nearly one hundred thousand
close to 9.8%
close to ten per cent
approaching 14.7bn
approaching fifteen billion Euros
sssss
To indicate precision you can use:
precisely, exactly
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