How to use "followed by"

[wang.cupid]

Dear friends,

Which of the following sentences is correct and why?

1. There is a gradual increase in the first 3 years, followed by a sharp decrease from 30 to15.

2. The data increased gradually in the first 3 years, followed by a sharp decrease from 30 to15.

3. a gradual increase was witnessed in the first 3 years, followed by a sharp decrease from 30 to15.

Thanks.

Haibin

[Raymott]

Dear friends,

Which of the following sentences is correct and why?

1. There is/was a gradual increase in the first 3 years, followed by a sharp decrease from 30 to15.

2. The data increased gradually in the first 3 years, followed by a sharp decrease from 30 to15.
I don't think you mean that the data increased. It's more likely that whatever the data was measuring increased.

3. a gradual increase was witnessed in the first 3 years, followed by a sharp decrease from 30 to15.

Thanks.

Haibin

They are all acceptable to me. I prefer the first because of its simplicity.