Vocabulary to describe graphs

Introducing the graph

The graph/table/pie chart/bar chart/diagram...

gives information about/on ...

provides information about/on ...

shows ...

illustrates ...

compares ...

explains why ...

describes ...

draws the conclusion of (a survey) ...

Example: The pie charts provide information on the proportion of males and females working in
agricultural sector.

Nouns

a rise (of) a fall (in) a fluctuation (of)

an increase (of) a decrease (in) a variation (in)

a growth (of) a decline (in) Example: a fluctuation of

prices
a peak (of) a dip (in)

a surge (of) Example: a fall in prices

Example: a rise of prices

 Verbs

to rise to fall to fluctuate

to increase to decrease to vary

to surge to decline

to grow to dip

to peak to dive

Large rises: to plunge

to rocket Large falls:

to soar to plummet

to leap (->leapt)

Adverbs

sharply slightly

suddenly gently

rapidly gradually

abruptly steadily

dramatically modestly

significantly marginally

considerably tediously

markedly Example: the prices increased modestly

wildly

Example: the prices rose sharply

 Adjectives

sharp slight

sudden gentle

rapid gradual

abrupt marginal

dramatic steady

steep sequentially

swift consistent

noticable modest

significant marginal

considerable constant

marked Example: there was a gradual decline

substantial

spectacular

Example: there was a considerable growth

 Starting Presentation Type Verb Description
shows / represents /
the comparison of…
depicts / enumerates /
diagram / table / the differences…
illustrates / presents/
figure / illustration / the changes...
gives / provides /
graph / chart / flow the number of…
delineates/ outlines/
chart / picture/ information on…
describes / delineates/
The/ the given / the presentation/ pie data on…
expresses/ denotes/
supplied / the chart / bar graph/ the proportion of…
compares/ shows
presented / the column graph / line the amount of…
contrast / indicates /
shown / the graph / table data/ information on...
figures / gives data
provided data / information / data about...
on / gives information
pictorial/ process comparative data...
on/ presents
diagram/ map/ pie the trend of...
information about/
chart and table/ bar the percentages of...
shows data about/
graph and pie chart ... the ratio of...
demonstrates/ sketch
how the...
out/ summarises...
 Then
 Afterwards
 Following that
 Followed by
 Next
 Subsequently
 Former
 Latter
 After
 Previous
 Prior to
 Simultaneously
 During
 While
 Finally.

 To level off
 To reach a plateau
 To hit the highest point
 To stay constant
 To flatten out
 To show some fluctuation
 To hit the lowest point
 Compared to
 Compared with
 Relative to
10% increase
25 percent decrease
increased by 15% 4% = A tiny fraction.
dropped by 10 per cent 24% = Almost a quarter.
fall at 50% 25% Exactly a quarter. 2% = A tiny portion, a very
reached to 75% small proportion.
26% = Roughly one quarter.
tripled 4% = An insignificant minority,
32% Nearly one-third, nearly a
doubled an insignificant proportion.
one-fourth third.
49% = Around a half, just under 16% = A small minority, a small
three-quarters
portion.
half a half.
double fold 50% Exactly a half. 70% = A large proportion.
treble 72% = A significant majority, A
51% = Just over a half.
5 times higher 73% = Nearly three quarters. significant proportion.89% = A
3 timers lower very large proportion. 
77% = Approximately three
declined to about 49% 89% = A very large proportion.
stood exactly at 43% quarter, more than three-
quarter.
79% = Well over three
quarters.