Part 1: Numbers, Trends & Statistics Collocations
Collocations are words that naturally go together. These phrases are common when talking about numbers, trends & statistics.
Common Numbers, Trends & Statistics Collocations
| Collocation | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| sharp increase | "There was a sharp increase in sales last quarter." | A sudden, large rise |
| steady decline | "The company has seen a steady decline in profits." | A gradual, continuous fall |
| reach a peak | "Demand reached a peak in December." | Get to the highest point |
| remain constant | "Prices have remained constant for months." | Stay the same, unchanged |
| significant drop | "There was a significant drop in attendance." | A large, noticeable fall |
| on average | "On average, customers spend £30 per visit." | As a typical or usual amount |
More Numbers, Trends & Statistics Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| statistical data | "The report is based on statistical data from 2025." |
| a slight rise | "There's been a slight rise in temperatures." |
| an upward trend | "Sales are showing an upward trend." |
| a downward trend | "The graph shows a downward trend since March." |
| fluctuate wildly | "Prices fluctuate wildly during the holiday season." |
Practice: Collocations
Exercise 1: Complete the collocations (no hints)
1. There was a __________ increase in sales last quarter.
2. The company has seen a __________ decline in profits.
3. Demand reached a __________ in December.
4. Prices have remained __________ for months.
5. There was a significant __________ in attendance.
Part 2: Numbers, Trends & Statistics Idioms
Idioms add colour and natural expression to your English when talking about numbers, trends & statistics.
Common Numbers, Trends & Statistics Idioms:
- hit rock bottom – reach the lowest possible point "Sales hit rock bottom during the recession."
- through the roof – become extremely high "Prices have gone through the roof this year."
- par for the course – typical or expected "Delays like this are par for the course."
- a drop in the ocean – a very small amount compared to what's needed "That donation is just a drop in the ocean."
- back to square one – starting over after failure "The plan failed, so it's back to square one."
- the tip of the iceberg – a small visible part of a much bigger problem "These complaints are just the tip of the iceberg."
Practice: Idioms
Exercise 2: Complete the idioms (no hints)
1. Sales hit rock __________ during the recession.
2. Prices have gone through the __________ this year.
3. Delays like this are __________ for the course.
4. That donation is just a drop in the __________.
5. The plan failed, so it's back to square __________.
Part 3: Numbers, Trends & Statistics Phrasal Verbs
These phrasal verbs are commonly used when talking about numbers, trends & statistics.
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| level off | stop rising or falling, become steady | "Growth has levelled off in recent months." |
| shoot up | increase very quickly | "Prices shot up after the announcement." |
| drop off | decrease | "Sales usually drop off in January." |
| even out | become more consistent or balanced | "The figures should even out over the year." |
| add up | amount to a total, or make sense | "The numbers just don't add up." |
Usage Tips:
Level off and "even out" both describe a trend becoming stable - useful for describing graphs.
Shoot up is more dramatic than "increase", better for sharp changes.
Add up has two meanings: totalling a number, or making logical sense.
Practice: Phrasal Verbs
Exercise 3: Complete the phrasal verbs (no hints)
1. Growth has __________ off in recent months.
2. Prices __________ up after the announcement.
3. Sales usually __________ off in January.
4. The figures should __________ out over the year.
5. The numbers just don't __________ up.
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