level off
To stop changing and remain at a stable level after a period of increase or decrease.
writing-task-1Work and economy
Uso no IELTS
Useful in Task 1 to describe a trend that stabilises after a period of change, often after a sharp rise or fall, helping to show the overall pattern clearly.
Exemplos
- After a steep increase in 2015, the number of internet users levelled off at around 4 billion.
- The unemployment rate levelled off in the second quarter, suggesting the economic crisis had ended.
- The graph shows that oil prices levelled off in 2020 after several years of fluctuation.
- As more people moved to the suburbs, the city's population began to level off in the early 2000s.
Collocations
- level off at
- The number of daily visitors levelled off at roughly 2,000.
- level off after
- Electricity demand levelled off after the introduction of energy-efficient appliances.
- eventually level off
- Although costs rose sharply at first, they eventually levelled off.
- level off in
- Car ownership levelled off in the late 1990s.
- begin to level off
- Tourist arrivals began to level off after the new visa restrictions were introduced.
Família de palavras
- Substantivo
- levelling off
- Verbo
- level off
Paráfrases
- remain stable: A simpler equivalent for describing a plateau in a trend.
- stabilise: A more formal synonym, common in academic writing.
- reach a plateau: Emphasises that a period of growth has ended and the figure becomes flat.
Erros comuns
- The price levelled off on $10. to The price levelled off at $10.. Use 'at' to indicate the specific value where the trend becomes stable.
- The rate levelled off since 2010. to The rate levelled off in 2010.. Use 'in' with a specific year or period when describing when the stabilisation occurred.
- The number was levelled off at 5 million. to The number levelled off at 5 million.. 'Level off' is intransitive; do not use the passive form here.
- The trend levelled off gradually, but then it suddenly increased. to The trend levelled off at a high point before declining.. If it later changes, use 'before' or 'until' to show the sequence clearly, not a contradictory sentence.