Ugh... I think proper phrasology would be "XYZ, descend altitude 5000ft"...
No it wouldn't! The correct phraseology would be " Descend to Altitude 5000ft QNH (if not previously advised)"
This is commonly used and makes me nausiate everytime I hear it. When people are changing velocity in the vertical plane, they either Climb TO or descend TO altitudes, and Climb or Descend Flight Levels;
e.g
Climb TO altitude 4000 feet
Descend Flight Level 70.
Another one that I reguarly hear incorrectly abbreviated are
"Clear land" - Absolute rubbish, the correct phraseology is "Cleared to Land" (Runway designator to be specified if the possibility of confusion exists) + Surfice wind checks etc etc
"Clear /cleared to take off" Once again - Wholely incorrect. The Phraseology is " Cleared for Take off" with the relevent gubbins tacked on the end.
I could go on and on but standard phraseology is not always used and I am as guilty as everyone else unfortunately!
The ones I mentioned are ones that really bug me when I hear them!!!
TIO
Edited as clearly my typing is particuarly non-standard also!