By degrees

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "By degrees" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a gradual process or change over time. Example: "The project progressed by degrees, with each phase building on the last."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By degrees, the Missouri began to turn.

The New York Times

By degrees they gained confidence & started to converse.

The New Yorker

By degrees, he reverted to his prewar, art-fomenting self.

The New Yorker

By degrees, like a frog being boiled – before you know it, you're soup.

The Guardian - Opinion

By degrees, we've accepted profiling as a central aspect of American life.

The New Yorker

By degrees, he became disillusioned with the Party and broke with it.

The New Yorker

By degrees, he came to know other Method acolytes, among them Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler, Franchot Tone, Clifford Odets, Sanford Meisner, and Tennessee Williams.

The New Yorker

By degrees an apparent regard began to take place between these two sequestered individuals.

The New York Times

By degrees, he and the filmmakers ease this man back into life.

The New Yorker

By degrees afterward, ideas come.

Huffington Post

FASHION happens by degrees.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by degrees" to emphasize a gradual or incremental change, especially when highlighting a process that unfolds slowly over time.

Common error

While "by degrees" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. Opt for more concise alternatives like "gradually" or "incrementally" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by degrees" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause to indicate the manner in which an action is performed or a change occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes a gradual process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by degrees" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to describe gradual changes or processes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, though more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "gradually" or "incrementally". Remember to use "by degrees" when you want to highlight the incremental nature of a change, emphasizing that it happens in small steps over time. When aiming to avoid possible overuse of this phrase you can pick one of these options: "Gradually", "Little by little", "Step by step".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Gradually

This is a single-word synonym, offering a more concise alternative.

Little by little

Emphasizes the small increments of change, similar to "by degrees".

Step by step

Focuses on the sequential nature of the process.

Incrementally

Highlights the measured and progressive nature of the change.

Slowly but surely

Suggests a steady and reliable progression despite the slowness.

Bit by bit

Similar to 'little by little', reinforcing the idea of small, accumulating changes.

In stages

Highlights the phasing of the process, breaking it down into distinct steps.

By stages

Highlights the phasing of the process, breaking it down into distinct steps.

In small increments

Emphasizes the small size of the changes happening over time.

Progressively

Indicates a continuous and ongoing advancement.

FAQs

How can I use "by degrees" in a sentence?

Use "by degrees" to describe a process or change that happens gradually over time. For example, "The project progressed "by degrees", with each phase building on the last."

What are some alternatives to "by degrees"?

You can use alternatives like "gradually", "little by little", or "step by step", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "by degrees" formal or informal?

"By degrees" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, more concise alternatives like "incrementally" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "by degrees" and "gradually"?

While both "by degrees" and "gradually" indicate a slow change, "by degrees" often emphasizes the small, incremental steps involved in the process, whereas "gradually" simply highlights the overall slowness of the change.