But slowly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "But slowly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a gradual process or change in pace, often in contrast to something that happens quickly. Example: "The project progressed, but slowly, as the team faced numerous challenges along the way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But slowly.

The Economist

But slowly they settled.

Independent

But slowly recovery will come.

The Economist

But slowly, his audience collected.

The Guardian

But slowly that is changing.

The New York Times

But slowly I'm coming back".

The Guardian - Books

But slowly, greyly might do it.

The Economist

But slowly, in his own time.

The Economist

But slowly there has been a détente.

The New York Times

But slowly, imperceptibly, the city changed.

The New Yorker

But slowly, the benefits have worked through.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "But slowly" to introduce a contrasting action or development that occurs at a gradual pace after an initial state or event. It effectively highlights a shift in momentum or condition.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "But slowly" in close proximity. Vary your sentence structure and consider alternatives like "However gradually" or "Yet at a slow pace" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "But slowly" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two contrasting ideas or events, indicating that the second event happens at a gradual pace. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "But slowly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to introduce a gradual shift or development. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers alternative phrases for varied expression. Predominantly found in news and media sources, this phrase serves to temper contrasts and highlight the pace of change. When using "But slowly", consider the context to ensure it appropriately conveys the intended meaning and avoid overuse for stylistic clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

However gradually

Replaces "but slowly" with a more formal tone, emphasizing the contrast and the gradual nature of the action.

In spite of that, gradually

Highlights the contrast while maintaining a focus on the gradual nature of change.

Yet at a slow pace

Focuses on the unhurried manner of the action, providing a more descriptive alternative.

Though at a snail's pace

Uses an idiomatic expression to highlight the extremely slow speed of progress.

Nevertheless at a measured rate

Emphasizes the deliberation and control in the gradual progression.

Still bit by bit

Highlights the incremental nature of the change or progress.

Nonetheless step by step

Focuses on the methodical and sequential advancement.

Even so, steadily

Emphasizes the constant speed with which the change will happen, even though slow.

Even so, inch by inch

Emphasizes the small, almost imperceptible increments of progress.

Despite everything, little by little

Emphasizes that despite external constraints or problems, the change will happen in little steps.

FAQs

How can I use "But slowly" in a sentence?

The phrase "But slowly" is used to introduce a gradual change or development in contrast to a previous state. For example, "Initially, the project faced setbacks, but slowly, it began to gain momentum."

What phrases are similar to "But slowly"?

You can use alternatives like "however gradually", "yet at a slow pace", or "still bit by bit" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "But slowly"?

Yes, it is grammatically acceptable to start a sentence with "But slowly", as 'but' can function as a conjunction to introduce a contrasting idea. The adverb 'slowly' then modifies the implied action or change.

What's the difference between "But slowly" and "But surely"?

"But slowly" emphasizes the gradual pace of a change, while "but surely" highlights the certainty of the change despite the time it takes. Choose the phrase that best reflects the aspect you want to emphasize.