When discussing research, data and outcomes, it is often necessary to use language that accurately describes aspects of your work in a negative sense.

Nouns to discuss things that do not meet needs or expectations

a negative trend (meaning: a development or change that creates a harmful or downward result)

also: a downward trend

E.g. We have observed a negative trend in inflation rates.

a deficit

• (in economics) when a company or country has a deficit, they have spent or owe more money than they have

This noun is often used with the following adjectives: forecasted, projected, estimated, substantial, excessive, cumulative, widening

E.g. The company has been in deficit for a number of years.

• a lack of something (often a skill, ability or quality)

E.g. We noted a cognitive deficit after consistent sleep deprivation. 

• a trade deficit (meaning: when a country has more imports than exports)

also: trade gap

E.g. Trade deficits in this region are at an all-time high. 

• a shortfall (meaning: a lack of something that is needed or expected)

E.g. There was an unprecedented shortfall in the availability of certain vegetables. 

inadequacy

• This noun is often used with these verbs: highlight, illustrate, reveal, demonstrate, expose, recognise, acknowledge, address, overcome
• when something is not good enough for a particular situation

E.g. Due to the inadequacy of the equipment, the experiment was abandoned.

• when someone is not confident about their abilities

E.g. Prospective parents often struggle with feelings of inadequacy.

• when there is a lack of something or a fault in something (usually plural)

E.g. There were substantial inadequacies in the reporting system, which resulted in numerous patient records being misplaced.

inequality (meaning: when people are not equal because some have more money, power and opportunities than others – often the result of an unfair situation)

• There are many different types of inequality, such as: social, economic, socioeconomic, educational, ethnic, racial, sexual, structural, environmental, geographical, health, income/pay
• This noun is often used with the following adjectives: existing, current, increasing, widening, increasing, rising, global, regional

E.g. We will look at way of dressing the inequalities in education across different boroughs.

disparity (meaning: when there is a difference between things that is often related to an unfair situation)

E.g. They were questioned regarding the disparity in salary between male and female employees. 

discrepancy (meaning: when there is a difference between two things that should be the same)

E.g. When questioned separately, we found several discrepancies in their accounts of the event. 

Verbs to talk about things getting worse

to deteriorate (meaning: to get worse)

E.g. They were no longer able to travel due to her deteriorating health. 

to decline

• to become worse, weaker, less/fewer or smaller

E.g. His popularity declined following the scandal.

• to say no politely and refuse an invitation, offer or request

E.g. Though they declined to comment on the rumours, it was clear that they were true. 

to degrade

• to treat someone badly so that they appear not worthy of respect

E.g. The book degrades people from the region by portraying them as lazy and incompetent.

• to make something worse in quality

E.g. The quality of healthcare provision has degraded drastically in recent months.

• (in chemistry) to change something so that is has a simpler chemical form

E.g. The sample product degraded into proteins and acids. 

to depreciate

• to lose value over time

Due to an oversaturated market, the property has depreciated in value.

• to make something appear to have no value

E.g. By claiming the success as their own, the organisation depreciated the contribution of the external research team. 

to recede

• This verb is often used with the following nouns connected with water: flood, sea, tide, wave, water
• This verb is often used with the following nouns with negative meanings: threat, fear, pain, danger
• to move back from a high level or a position

E.g. A few days after the storm, the river had receded

• to get smaller and weaker (often when talking about a feeling or problem)

E.g. The threat of conflict has receded for the moment.

Examples of this language in use

Examples of language from this article can be found in the following extract.

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