What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
declining
Example
The population of the town has been declining for years. [declining: present participle]
Example
The company's profits have been declining steadily. [declining: adjective]
fading
Example
The memory of that day is slowly fading away. [fading: present participle]
Example
The colors of the painting are fading due to exposure to sunlight. [fading: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Declining is more commonly used in academic or professional contexts, while fading is more commonly used in creative writing or everyday conversation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between declining and fading?
Declining is more formal than fading, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
