Grammar fix
tail off
gradually decrease (amount, strength, activity, or voice)
to become smaller, weaker, or less active in a slow and steady way, often until it stops completely
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- Attendance at the evening lectures usually tails off towards the end of the semester.work
- At first, the number of applicants was high, but interest tailed off as the deadline approached.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: tail off (intransitive); tail off + (to/into + noun/number); tail off + (until/until + clause)
WrongHis voice tailed off down.
RightHis voice tailed off.
'Tail off' already means fade away — don't add 'down'.
Patterntail off (intransitive); tail off + (to/into + noun/number); tail off + (until/until + clause)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Tail off' is the natural verb for a slow fade; 'diminished progressively' is formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
tail off + declinetowards the endgraduallyinto silenceafter summer
Don't confuse it
Unlike the basic verbs 'fall' or 'drop', 'tail off' emphasizes a gradual, often gentle reduction, not a sharp or sudden one.