Describe trends

Noun phrases
Start of expression There is a/an There was a/an The data shows a/an We can see a/an This period saw a/an Adjectives sharp / dramatic considerable steady slight / gentle gradual relative slight Nouns rise / increase fall / drop decrease peak / dip fluctuation Prepositions in + subject from + start value to + end value of + value changed in + subject at + value around + average value

Verb phrases
Verbs and verb phrases rise / increase / go up fall / decrease / go down / drop reach a plateau reach a peak fall to / hit the lowest point remain stable remain / stay constant Adverbs sharply / dramatically considerably steadily slightly / gently gradually Prepositions from + start value to + end value by + value changed

of + value at + value

To contrast
...whilst / while / whereas... In contrast, ..in contrast to / unlike... ...however / although... Nevertheless / Conversely, ...differed ...differed from (that of)... ...more than... ...less than... Even so,

To compare
Similarly / Likewise / In the same way, ...just as... Like... ...have in common... ...as...as... ...the same...as... ...which mirrored a similar...