After the parking charge was introduced, monthly attendance fell ___, from 4,800 visits to just 950.

The recycling rate rose ___ over the year: 12% in March, 18% in June, 25% in September and 31% in December.

The pass rate increased ___, from 62.1% last year to 62.4% this year.

Over a decade, the proportion of residents using buses declined ___, moving from 72% to 68%, then 64%, then 60%.

The chain expanded ___, growing from 5 cafés to 90 in only eighteen months.

During the trial, demand fluctuated ___: weekly orders were 300, then 1,400, then 180, then 1,900.

After extra tutoring was introduced, the average writing score improved ___, rising from 41 to 79 out of 100.

The town's population contracted ___, from 3.20 million to 3.10 million over five years.

Permit approvals accelerated ___, from 2 per week in March to 27 per week by May.

The waiting list shortened ___, with about 50 fewer applicants recorded at the end of each month.

Air quality deteriorated ___ after the factory reopened, with the index rising from 45 to 118.

Online sales grew ___ for four months: 100 orders, then 200, then 400, then 800.

The board approved the merger ___, with five members voting for it and four against.

The proposal was rejected ___: 82 delegates voted against it and only 18 supported it.

The panel endorsed the recommendation ___, with all 17 members voting in favour.

The candidate won ___, receiving 58% of the vote while the nearest rival received 39%.

The project exceeded its target ___, delivering 101.2 units against a target of 100.

The applicant missed the deadline ___, submitting the form at 12:02 for a noon cut-off.

The proposal was defeated ___, with 31 votes against it and only 2 in favour.

The runner trailed the leader ___ at the finish, recording 48.9 seconds against the winner's 48.7.

The mayor retained the seat ___, gaining 42,000 votes while the challenger gained 24,000.

The committee split ___ on the amendment, with 12 members supporting it and 12 opposing it.

The figures were checked ___ before publication, which is why nobody noticed the missing column.

The questionnaire was piloted ___, and the team removed three ambiguous items before the main survey.

The report quoted the interviews ___, using only comments that supported its conclusion and omitting the rest.

The interviews were transcribed ___, so every quotation in the appendix matched the recording.

The samples were stored ___, and bacteria grew in several containers overnight.

The contract was worded ___, so both parties later claimed it meant something different.

The bibliography was compiled ___, with full page ranges, dates and publisher details for every source.

The data were analysed ___: the report listed broad patterns but ignored causes, exceptions and limitations.