accumulate over time

USAGE SUMMARY

"accumulate over time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something has been gradually increasing or building up over a period of time. For example: The success of the company had been slowly accumulating over time.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

SATURDAY'S PUZZLE — If you solve crosswords on a regular basis, there's some random knowledge that you just accumulate over time.

The New York Times

First off, his stock wealth does not yet really exist, even on paper; it will only accumulate over time as his options vest.

The New York Times

Ornaments accumulate over time.

The New York Times

Because privilege tends to accumulate over time, that's unlikely to happen without coercion.

The Guardian - Opinion

It can accumulate over time and can be discerned in people's clenched, drawn faces and choked-back words.

The New York Times

As these roles accumulate over time, audiences come to feel that they understand something of the star's true self.

The New York Times - Magazine

The more mutations skin cells accumulate over time, the higher the likelihood that one of them will turn out to be cancerous.

The Guardian

"There are e-mail accounts, I.P. addresses, things that accumulate over time that you can find on the Internet if you rummage around".

The New York Times

And all of these advances — plus many others — will accumulate over time.

TechCrunch

They also possess subjective meanings that accumulate over time and can contribute to meeting diverse needs.

Health & Place

Senescent cell are viable, metabolically active, persist, and accumulate over time, but cannot divide.

The Spine Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "accumulate over time" to describe gradual increases in quantity, value, or effect. It's particularly useful in scientific, financial, and historical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "accumulate over time" when describing very rapid or sudden increases. The phrase implies a gradual, not immediate, process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accumulate over time" functions as a dynamic descriptor, illustrating how a quantity, quality, or effect gradually increases or gathers momentum across a duration. Ludwig's examples show it applies across diverse scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

26%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Accumulate over time" is a versatile phrase used to describe gradual growth or increase, applicable across various contexts from science to news. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Its neutral register allows for broad use, while its frequency suggests it's a common and readily understood expression. When writing, remember its emphasis on gradualness and choose it over alternatives when precision matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Build up gradually

Emphasizes a gradual increase or development.

Develop progressively

Highlights steady advancement and growth.

Increase incrementally

Focuses on small, measured increases over time.

Grow steadily

Stresses consistent and stable growth.

Evolve over time

Implies a natural and gradual transformation.

Mature progressively

Focuses on gaining complexity and completeness with time.

Amass gradually

Highlights a slow and steady accumulation of something.

Accrue progressively

Implies gaining or receiving something over time, often incrementally.

Expand incrementally

Focuses on a gradual widening or enlargement.

Intensify progressively

Emphasizes a gradual strengthening or deepening.

FAQs

How can I use "accumulate over time" in a sentence?

You can use "accumulate over time" to describe how something gradually increases, such as "Knowledge can "accumulate over time" through consistent learning".

What are some alternatives to "accumulate over time"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "build up gradually", "develop progressively", or "increase incrementally".

Is it better to say "accumulate over time" or "accumulate with time"?

"Accumulate over time" is the more common and natural phrasing. "Accumulate with time" is less idiomatic.

Can "accumulate over time" be used for both positive and negative things?

Yes, "accumulate over time" can describe both positive things, such as wealth, and negative things, such as debt or errors.