Describing graphs

In the English-speaking business world you may have to discuss the information on graphs. Here we take a look at some of the vocabulary we use to describe graph trends.

Going Up

• rose
• increased
• went up
• grew

Going Down

• decreased
• fell
• dropped
• declined

No Change

• stayed the same
• remained constant
• levelled off
• stabilised

Up and Down

• fluctuated
• zig-zagged
• fluttered
• undulated

Small Changes - Adjectives / Adverbs

• gently
• gradually
• slightly
• steadily

Big Changes - Adverbs / Adjectives

• suddenly
• sharply
• dramatically
• steeply
• a lot

Low Points

• bottomed out
• reached a low

Now match the graphs to the correct definitions by using the numbers of each graph:

• Sales bottomed out in May.
• Sales levelled off from July.
• Sales rose steadily over the year.
• Sales peaked in June.
• Sales remained the same.
• Sales increased sharply from June.
• Sales rose gradually through the year.
• Sales fell steadily through over the year.