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Prepositions after verbs

“Slump in” or “slump to”?

Use slump to for a fall to a lower amount or level. Slump in is possible when in introduces a place, position, or field, not the result level itself.

Quick answer

Which preposition is correct with slump?

Slump to usually describes a drop to a lower figure, level, or state. Slump in is used when in refers to a place, area, or activity where the slump happens.

Sales slumped to their lowest point in years.
He slumped in his chair after the meeting.
The economy slumped to near-zero growth.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
slump to + level/amount

Describing a fall to a lower level

Use to before a number, level, ranking, or condition reached after a decline.

Profits slumped to $2 million.
The team slumped to last place.
2
slump in + place

Describing body position or location

Use in when the verb refers to physical position inside a place or object.

She slumped in the back seat.
He slumped in front of the television.
3
slump in + sector/market

Talking about an area experiencing decline

In can introduce the field or sector where a decline occurs.

There was a slump in demand for steel.
Analysts reported a slump in tourism.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
slump to
The currency slumped to a record low.
fall until reaching a lower level or amount
slump in
She slumped in her chair.
sit or fall heavily in a place or position
slump in
There was a slump in sales.
a decline occurring in a sector or activity
slump at
The market slumped at midday.
at introduces time here, not a fixed verb-preposition pattern

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using in instead of to for final levels

Use to when you mention the level reached after a decline.

✕ Sales slumped in 10 percent. ✓ Sales slumped to 10 percent.

Confusing the verb with the noun pattern

Slump in is very common after the noun slump, as in a slump in demand.

✕ The company slumped in profits. ✓ The company slumped to lower profits.

Missing the location meaning of in

In can naturally describe physical position.

✓ He slumped in the corner after the race.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The stock price slumped ___ $15.
2. After dinner, she slumped ___ the sofa.
3. There was a slump ___ tourism last winter.

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Frequently asked questions

Can slump to describe numbers?

Yes. It is commonly used with prices, rankings, percentages, and other measurable levels.

Is slump in wrong?

No. It is correct when in introduces a place or the area affected by a decline.

Can I say slump into?

Yes. Slump into often describes moving heavily into a seat or position, such as slump into a chair.

sack, by, sack, for, sack, from "sacrifice for" or "sacrifice to"? sail from, in, for, to or through? "salvage from" or "salvage in"? sanction by, for, in, with or according? satisfy with, by, in, about or after? "saturate with" or "saturate in"? save by, for, from, on or in? "say in", "say about" or "say to"? "scan for", "scan in" or "scan through"? "scar by" or "scar on"? scatter in, across, around, throughout or on?

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