Describing Statistics And Trends In Business

Types of Graphs and Charts

Different types of visuals are used to present data:

• Line graph – shows change over time

• Bar chart – compares quantities across categories

• Pie chart – shows parts of a whole

• Table – presents numbers in rows and columns

Each type has a specific purpose. For example, line graphs are useful for showing sales trends over months, while pie charts help show the percentage of market share.

Describing Change

To describe changes in graphs and charts, we often use verbs, adjectives, and adverbs that express movement or difference.

Verbs showing upward trends (increases):

• rise

• go up

• increase

• climb

• grow

Example:
“Sales rose by 10% in the first quarter.”

Verbs showing downward trends (decreases):

• fall

• drop

• go down

• decline

• decrease

Example:
“Profits dropped slightly in March.”

Verbs for stability or no change:

• remain stable

• stay the same

• level off

• flatten out

Example:
“Production levels remained stable throughout the year.”

Useful Adverbs and Adjectives

Use adverbs and adjectives to describe the degree of change:

• slightly

• gradually

• steadily

• sharply

• significantly

• dramatically

• slowly

• rapidly

Example:
“The number of users increased dramatically after the new app launch.”
“There was a slight decline in customer satisfaction.”

Useful Phrases in Business Context

• “According to the chart…”

• “This graph illustrates the sales trend over six months.”

• “As we can see from the line graph…”

• “There was a significant increase in Q2.”

• “The pie chart shows how the market is divided.”

• “Figures have remained steady since last year.”

• “We experienced a sharp drop in revenue.”

• “Let me draw your attention to the dip in September.”

Example Paragraph

This bar chart shows our company’s quarterly sales performance for the past year. As you can see, sales increased gradually in Q1 and Q2, rising from $20,000 to $35,000. However, in Q3, there was a sharp drop of 25%, mainly due to supply chain issues. By Q4, figures recovered slightly, climbing back to $30,000. Overall, the trend shows strong performance in the first half of the year, followed by a brief decline and partial recovery.

Conclusion

Being able to talk about statistics and trends using the correct vocabulary and structures is essential in business English. Whether you’re in a meeting, writing a report, or giving a presentation, clear and accurate descriptions of data help you communicate effectively. Practice describing different types of charts and use a variety of phrases to make your language more precise and professional. To learn more or to practice your business English skills simply book a lesson with us at First Business English.