Use verb phrase & noun phrase to describe a trend

Use verb phrase & noun phrase to describe a trend

Let's describe a graph

Verb phrase

Verb + Adverb

Describing a graph using verb phrases

-Let's focus on OCT to NOV

-You can describe the trend for these two month this way:

a. The produce sales increased sharply from October to November 2019 as it went up from just over 30 thousands USD to 60 thousands USD.

b. From October to November 2019, the produce sales increased sharply from 30 thousands to 60 thousands.

Do you see the structure?

• a. The produce sales increased sharply from October to November 2019 as it went up from just over 30 thousands USD to 60 thousands USD.

• From October to November 2019, the produce sales increased sharply from 30 thousands to 60 thousands.

"Increased sharply" is a VERB PHRASE.

• It is the combination of the verb 'increased' and the adverb 'sharply'.

• Protip #1: Adverb can exist BEFORE a verb.

• This would be correct too: The produce sales in October has sharply increased to 60 thousands from 30 thousands USD.

To put it simply...

-Use your VERB + ADVERB

-Use simple past tense (NO to was/were +-ing)

Multiple Choice

Now, let's try to focus from NOV - DEC 2019.

From November to December 2019, the produce sales ___________ from 60 thousands to below 30 thousands.

• was dropping

• dropped slightly

• fell harshly

Fill in the Blanks

Focus on APR-MAY 2020.

The sales then

from 20 thousands to over 50 thousands from April to May. (use significant)

Noun Phrase

A/An + Adjective + Noun

Alternatively, you can use noun phrase

-Focus back on OCT to NOV 2019

-There was a significant increase of produce sales from 30 thousands to 60 thousands in October to November 2019.

-A significant increase of produce sales was recorded from October to November 2019, as it went from 30 to 60 thousand.

Did you notice the structure?

• -There was a significant increase of produce sales from 30 thousands to 60 thousands in October to November 2019.

• -A significant increase of produce sales was recorded from October to November 2019, as it went from 30 to 60 thousand.

'a significant increase' is a NOUN PHRASE

• A/An- articles

• significant- adjective

• increase-noun

To put it simply...

-you must put articles (a/an) to use noun phrases

-remember to put adjective (words that describe things)

Multiple Choice

Let's focus on JAN- FEB 2020.

There was _____________ of produce sales from January to February 2020.

• a slight increased

• a slight increase

• tiny increase

Fill in the Blanks

Now, let's focus on February to Mac 2020.

was recorded in produce sales from February to Mac 2020, declining from 40 thousands to just above 10 thousands. (decrease & huge)

Linking them together

• Both noun phrase (NP) and verb phrase can be used interchangeably.

• Let's take increase + sharp

• NP: There was a sharp increase in the percentage of CO2 in 2010.

• VP: The percentage of CO2 increased sharply in 2010.

• SO...VARY YOUR SENTENCE STRUCTURES!

Prepositions

by, of, to

Focus on JAN-FEB 2020

-The produce sales has increased by 10 thousands in February 2020.

-An increase of 10 thousands in produce sales was recorded in February 2020.

-The produce sales rose to 40 thousands in February.

-From January to February, there was a rise in sales produce to 40 thousands.

Take note!

-The produce sales has increased by 10 thousands in February 2020. (VP)

-An increase of 10 thousands in produce sales was recorded in February 2020. (NP)

-The produce sales rose to 40 thousands in February. (VP)

-From January to February, there was a rise in sales produce to 40 thousands. (NP)

Final takeaway messages

1. Use NP & VP to vary your report's sentences

2. Use prepositions to make it better

3. Practice, practice, practice!