a steady gain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a steady gain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a consistent increase or improvement in a particular area, such as finances, performance, or health. Example: "The company reported a steady gain in profits over the last quarter, indicating strong market performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Dr. Heineken pivoted the computer screen so the patient could see a steady gain in recent months.

The New York Times - Science

Nevertheless, this seems to reflect a steady gain in support for same-sex marriage rather than there having been any one inflection point.

The New York Times

Time curing, according to Bell and Coulthard [9], is an important factor influencing the strength of stabilized material as a steady gain in strength for over months is a characteristic.

International Journal of Geo-Engineering

WASHINGTON — U.S. employers added 155,000 jobs in December, a steady gain that shows hiring held up during tense fiscal cliff negotiations in Washington.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Conserv samples exhibited a much slower, yet steady gain in compressive strength up to 56 days (Table 2).

Heritage Science

Moreover, there was a steady weight gain among all women over the 10 years of the study.

The New York Times - Health

There then appeared to be a steady mass gain from first puff, followed by a repeated pattern of response per cigarette puff: a rapid initial increase in mass then a slower but more sustained increase in mass, concluding in a slight decease in mass (outlined in Figure 3A).

Chemistry Central Journal

Control rats maintained a steady weight gain and a good health status (Fig. 1A).

Plosone

6 Added to ongoing insulin treatment, dapagliflozin maintained weight near baseline, while escalating insulin doses in the placebo group were associated with a steady weight gain through week 48 (dapagliflozin, −1.5 kg vs placebo, +0.9 kg).

Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy

On Tuesday, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg chose to focus on that steady gain rather than on the dismal college-readiness data.

The New York Times

But the steady gain in sales suggests companies may have to order more goods in the coming months to keep up with demand.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a steady gain", ensure the context provides a clear reference point for what is increasing or improving. For example, "a steady gain in market share" is more informative than simply "a steady gain."

Common error

Avoid using "a steady gain" in situations where fluctuations are present. The phrase implies consistent, uninterrupted growth, so it's unsuitable for describing volatile or erratic changes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a steady gain" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a consistent and gradual increase or improvement in something. Ludwig's examples show it used in contexts like weight, support, and job growth.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a steady gain" is a noun phrase used to describe a consistent and gradual increase or improvement. While Ludwig indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable, its frequency is relatively rare. It appears in various contexts, including news, media, and scientific publications. Understanding the nuances in meaning of the alternatives, such as "consistent increase" or "gradual improvement", can help writers choose the most appropriate phrase for their intended message. When you are describing uninterrupted growth, "a steady gain" is a great choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a consistent increase

Emphasizes the regularity and predictability of the increase, focusing on its uniformity over time.

a gradual improvement

Highlights the slowness and incremental nature of the betterment, often implying a process of refinement.

a progressive growth

Suggests continuous development and advancement, often in stages or phases.

a continuous rise

Focuses on the uninterrupted nature of the upward movement, without necessarily implying a specific rate.

a sustained uptrend

Implies a persistent upward trend, often used in financial or economic contexts, emphasizing durability.

a regular advance

Highlights the planned and methodical manner of the progress.

an incremental expansion

Focuses on the step-by-step nature of the growth, emphasizing small, measurable additions.

a constant accumulation

Suggests a steady build-up or amassing of something over time, emphasizing volume or quantity.

a stable progression

Highlights the equilibrium and measured character of the ongoing development.

a predictable climb

Emphasizes the anticipated and projected nature of the upward movement, indicating foreseeability.

FAQs

How can I use "a steady gain" in a sentence?

You can use "a steady gain" to describe a consistent increase or improvement over time. For example, "The company reported "a steady gain" in profits this quarter".

What can I say instead of "a steady gain"?

You can use alternatives like "a consistent increase", "a gradual improvement", or "a progressive growth" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a steady gains" instead of "a steady gain"?

No, the correct phrase is "a steady gain". The word "gain" should be singular when preceded by the article "a", unless referring to multiple, distinct instances of gains.

What is the difference between "a steady gain" and "a significant gain"?

"A steady gain" implies a consistent, gradual increase over time, while "a significant gain" suggests a substantial increase, potentially occurring at a single point in time or over a shorter period.