Gradually

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'gradually' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means slowly or in small increments over time. Example: The little girl gradually learned to ride her bike with the help of her patient father.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The shadow science minister has held the seat since 2001, but with a gradually decreasing vote each election, confounding the theory of beneficial incumbency.

The Guardian

For weeks, even months, they would refuse shampoo, resulting in hair that emitted cheap cider and bong fumes wherever they went and gradually became lanker, greasier and flatter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To our left, three softly curving peaks disappeared behind the clouds and then reappeared gradually.

The Guardian - Travel

As hip-hop is gradually assimilated into the UK festival circuit's headline slots, the next Jay-Z Snoop sadly shizn't.

The Guardian - Music

As the British empire was gradually dissolved after the second world war and its industrial base attacked by younger, nimbler economies, the cohesion of the British state weakened.

The Guardian

What does change this month is that we gradually increase the number of long distances.

The Guardian - Sport

His report is now at least five years later than anyone imagined possible and as he meandered on – "It's been very difficult" – it gradually dawned on the committee that part of the delay was down to Chilcot's inability to use one word when several thousand would do.

The Guardian

But it has refused to budge on two "red-line" demands – for pension cuts and looser rules on hiring and firing – and hopes of reaching an agreement in time for a meeting of the finance ministers on Monday have gradually seeped away.

The Guardian - Business

In the lead-up to Luke's death, Batty had been gradually decreasing the amount of contact they had with Anderson as his threats escalated and his paranoia seemed to worsen.

The Guardian - Opinion

After a frantic opening, in which only a well-timed intervention from Hugo Campagnaro prevented Carlos Tévez from putting Mirko Vucinic through on goal, Inter gradually took control of the game.

The Guardian - Sport

As the US backdrop steadily improved in the aftermath of the Fed's cash injection, the central bank gradually slowed its bond-buying programme from $85bn a month to $15bn a month.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gradually" to emphasize a slow, continuous change over time. It's useful when highlighting a process rather than an instantaneous event.

Common error

Don't use "gradually" to describe something that happens quickly or instantaneously. For example, saying "The bomb gradually exploded" is incorrect; use "suddenly" or "immediately" instead.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "gradually" functions to modify verbs, adverbs, or adjectives, indicating that an action, quality, or state changes or progresses slowly over time. It specifies the manner in which something unfolds, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

22%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gradually" functions as an adverb denoting a slow and progressive change over time. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and widespread use. It frequently appears in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific writing. To enhance your writing, use "gradually" to emphasize a continuous process and avoid its misuse with sudden events. Alternatives include "little by little" and "step by step". This analysis offers practical writing guidance and addresses common usage questions, making it a valuable resource for mastering the nuances of "gradually".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

little by little

Emphasizes the small increments of change, focusing on the incremental nature.

step by step

Highlights the sequential nature of the progress, one action at a time.

by degrees

Indicates a measured and incremental progression, often used in formal contexts.

bit by bit

Stresses the accumulation of small parts leading to a larger change.

in stages

Suggests a planned or structured progression through distinct phases.

increasingly

Focuses on the growing intensity or frequency of something over time.

progressively

Highlights the forward movement and advancement in the process.

slowly but surely

Conveys a sense of steady progress despite the slowness of the change.

over time

Indicates a change that occurs as time passes, without specifying the pace.

in due course

Implies that something will happen at the appropriate time, without rushing.

FAQs

How can I use "gradually" in a sentence?

Use "gradually" to describe a process that occurs slowly over time. For instance, "The pain "gradually subsided" after taking the medication."

What are some alternatives to the word "gradually"?

Alternatives include "progressively", "increasingly", or "slowly but surely", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is more appropriate, "gradually" or "suddenly"?

The choice depends on whether the action occurs slowly over time ("gradually") or happens quickly and unexpectedly ("suddenly"). For example, a plant grows "gradually", while a door might slam suddenly.

What's the difference between "gradually" and "eventually"?

"Gradually" describes a slow, continuous process, while "eventually" simply means at some point in the future. Something might "gradually" improve, eventually leading to a full recovery; the focus with "eventually" is on the final outcome, not the pace.