A trend is a general direction in which something changes over time.

The idea

Trend is countable: a trend, two trends. Say an upward trend, a downward trend, or a trend toward something.

Examples

  • More people have cycled to work each year, showing an upward trend.
  • The report identifies a downward trend in household energy use.
  • A single cold day does not reveal the long-term temperature trend.
  • Researchers noticed a trend toward smaller households in the region.
  • The library tracks borrowing trends across several years.
  • Sales rose this month, but it is too early to call it a trend.

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Watch out

One isolated change does not necessarily establish a trend; look for a direction across observations.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the word that describes a direction of change. The graph shows an upward ___ in rents over five years. (trend / accident)

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    trend

    Trend names the direction shown across five years.

  2. Choose the word that describes a direction of change. The survey found a trend ___ working from home. (toward / between)

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    toward

    Toward introduces the direction of the change: working from home.

  3. Choose the word that describes a direction of change. One unusually busy day is not enough to establish a long-term ___. (trend / trends)

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    trend

    Trend is singular after a.

Use it today

Describe a trend in your community and explain what observations support it.