When speaking English we often need to describe trends in business and the economy. The following words and expressions are all commonly used.
to forecast
We forecast that costs could rise by a further 5% between now and next year.
to predict
Economists are predicting a double-dip recession.
to go up
Prices have gone up by 10%.
to increase
The cost of living is increasing.
to rise
Prices are rising again.
to strengthen
The pound has strengthened against the dollar.
to recover
The Euro has recovered after last week’s heavy trading.
to boost
The weaker pound should also boost exports
to peak at (highest point)
Shares peaked at 679p then fell.
to rocket (dramatic rise)
The cost of bringing up a child has rocketed by over a third in the past five year.
to soar
Soaring house prices make it difficult for first-time buyers to buy a house.
to surge
Costs have surged as a result of increasing oil prices.
to go down
Prices have gone down by 10%.
to decrease
The cost of living is decreasing.
to fall
Prices are falling again.
to weaken
The pound has weakened against the euro.
to drop
Increased labour costs have caused profits to drop.
to slow
The economy slowed last year as a result of interest rate rises.
to bottom out at (lowest point)
Shares bottomed out at 37p then rose.
to plummet (dramatic fall)
The Euro plummeted against the US Dollar, then rose.
to stagnate (staying at a low point, and not moving at all.)
The economy is stagnating.
to level out (become stable)
Share prices have levelled out this month at 497p.
to remain stable
The cost of petrol has remained stable.
Ways of talking about movement in English
steady – a steady rise
slight- a slight improvement on
moderate – a moderate recovery
dramatic – a dramatic rise
substantial- substantial growth
robust – robust growth
upward / downward – an upward / downward trend
Useful nouns
financial turbulence: Financial turbulence on the stock market has weakened the dollar.
slowdown: The recent slowdown in the economy threatens jobs.”