Incrementally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Incrementally" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a process that occurs in small, gradual steps or stages. Example: "The project will be developed incrementally, allowing for adjustments based on feedback at each stage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead of being shaken up and set on new foundations, banks were shored up incrementally.

The Guardian - Opinion

Incrementally over two years it will be a cut of 1.6%." Such a cut could well mean job cuts in many schools next year.

The Guardian

I hope that you believe you are acting in good faith; that you are simply motivated by the need to respond to the threats of terrorism and organised crime and the nuisance of anti-social behaviour, but I wonder if you have any idea of the cumulative effect of the 15 or so bills which have incrementally removed or compromised our liberties.

The Guardian - Opinion

(Nay-sayers and meh-sayers call it something knocked off from TV's 7-Up, and wonder if it would have been praised as much if it was just an actor in incrementally increased ageing makeup.

The Guardian - Film

The infamous "graphs of doom", showing how everything else is incrementally going overboard to ensure continued delivery of essential child protection and adult social care, tell the true emerging story.

The Guardian

Prior to the trial, prosecutors will present the defence with evidence incrementally and order additional forensic tests only when the case requires them.

The Guardian

This work was normally conducted by dockers under the national dock labour scheme, which provided employment and income security, and was an element of the wider social democratic legacy of the 1940s that Thatcher and her ministers were incrementally dismantling.

The Guardian

Executive director Monica Pellegrino Faix says: "Our reuse weaves together the past and the present: just as with Buffalo's renewal, we are redeveloping incrementally and sensitively".

The Guardian - Travel

This show grew slowly and incrementally".

The Guardian

In particular, we need to reverse the decline in productivity, improve success rates for regulatory approval and deliver medicines that add more than incrementally to a physician's capabilities.In the past the problem of R&D in big pharmaceutical companies has been "fixed" by spending more and by using scale to "industrialise" the research process.

The Economist

Goal-line dramas notwithstanding, football management is about squeezing out incrementally more performance per salary pound.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incrementally" to describe processes or changes that occur in small, manageable steps, allowing for flexibility and adaptation along the way. For instance, "The software was developed incrementally, with new features added based on user feedback."

Common error

Avoid using "incrementally" when describing sudden or substantial shifts. "Incrementally" implies a gradual process, so it's inappropriate for events that happen quickly or have a major impact all at once.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "incrementally" primarily functions to modify verbs, adverbs, or adjectives, indicating that an action or change occurs in small, gradual steps. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form in written English. It clarifies the manner in which something is done or progresses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "incrementally" is a grammatically sound and commonly used term that describes a gradual process or change. Ludwig AI's analysis validates its correct usage across a range of contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When using "incrementally", it's best to ensure the context genuinely involves a gradual process, distinguishing it from sudden or drastic changes. Alternatives such as "gradually" or "progressively" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Gradually

Emphasizes a slow, steady change over time.

Progressively

Highlights the forward motion or advancement in the change.

Step by step

Focuses on the sequential nature of the process, with each step being distinct.

By degrees

Suggests a subtle and almost imperceptible change.

Little by little

Emphasizes the small size of the individual changes.

In stages

Highlights that the process is divided into discrete phases.

Bit by bit

Similar to 'little by little', emphasizing the small increments.

Slowly but surely

Combines the idea of slowness with a guarantee of eventual success.

By small steps

Emphasizes the size of the steps taken in the process.

Piecemeal

Describes a process done in fragments or separate portions.

FAQs

How can I use "incrementally" in a sentence?

"Incrementally" is used to describe a process that advances gradually. For example, "The budget was reduced "gradually"" or "We improved our sales strategy "little by little"".

What words can I use instead of "incrementally"?

Alternatives include "gradually", "progressively", "step by step", or "by degrees". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "incrementally increase" or is that redundant?

While "incrementally increase" is not strictly redundant, it can be. Using just "increase" often implies a gradual process already. However, "incrementally increase" can emphasize the small, gradual nature of the increase, which can be useful for clarity.

What is the difference between "incrementally" and "exponentially"?

"Incrementally" refers to a gradual, linear increase, while "exponentially" refers to an increase at a rapidly accelerating rate. For example, "The debt increased "incrementally"" means it grew slowly, whereas "The debt increased "exponentially"" suggests it grew very quickly.