Choosing the chart: 

When Trying to describe a graph or chart it is important to decide what kind of graph or chart your describing

A flow chart is a diagram showing the progress of material through the steps  of a manufacturing process  or the succession of operations in a complex activity	A pie chart displays the size of each part as a percentage of a whole.	A (vertical or horizontal) bar chart is used to compare unlike items
A line chart depicts changes over a period of time, showing data and trends	A table is a convenient way to show large amount of data   in a small space	A diagram is a drawing showing arrangements and situations, such as networks  distribution, fluctuation …

Presenting a Graph 

These are phrases that can be used to present a graph or chart:

Introduction	Topic	Circumstances
This graph shows …	the results of our products …	over 10 years.
The diagram outlines …	rates of economic growth …	between 1990 and 1996.
This table lists …	the top ten agencies …	in the industrial world.
This pie chart represents	the company’s turnover …	for this year in our sector.
This line chart depicts …	the changes in sales …	over the past year.
This chart breaks down (ventile) …	the sales of each salesman …	during the past ten weeks.

Four Basic Trends

Generally speaking there are four basic trends that can be reported

• Upward movement
• Downward movement
• No movement
• Change in Direction

Describing an upward movement: 

Verbs		Nouns
Transitive	Intransitive
(to) increase	(to) increase	(an) increase
(to) raise	(to) rise (rose, risen)	(a) raise (US), a rise (UK)
(to) push/put/step up	(to) go/be up	(an) upswing
	(to) grow	(a) growth
(to) extend, (to) expand	(to) extend, (to) expand	(an) extension, expansion
	(to) progress	(a) progression
	(to) boom/soar/climb	(a) boom
	(to) jump, (to) skyrocket	(a) jump
	(to) reach a peak, (to) peak	(a) peak
	(to) reach an all-time high

Describing a Downward movement 

Verbs		Nouns
Transitive	Intransitive
(to) decrease	(to) decrease	(a) decrease
(to) cut, (to) reduce		(a) cut, (a) reduction
	(to) fall (off)    (fall, fell, fallen)	(a) fall
	(to) plunge, to plummet	(a) plunge
	(to) drop (off)	(a) drop
	(to) go down	(a) downswing
	(to) decline	(a) decline
	(to) collapse	(a) collapse (dramatic fall)
	(to) slump, (to) go bust	(a) slump
	(to) bottom out

Describing No Movement 

Verbs		Nouns
Transitive	Intransitive
(to) keep … stable	(to) remain stable
(to) hold … constant	(to) stay constant
(to) stabilize	(to) stabilize	stability

Indicating a change of direction 

Verbs		Nouns
Transitive	Intransitive
(to) level off	(to) level off/out, to flatten out	(a) levelling-off
	(to) stop falling/rising	(a) change
(to) stand at	(to) remain steady
	(to) stop falling and start rising
	(to) stop rising and start falling

Indicating the Degree or Speed of Change 

Please complete the following exercises

Describing Graphs and Trends