advancing gradually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "advancing gradually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process or action that is progressing slowly or in small increments over time. Example: "The project is advancing gradually, allowing us to make adjustments as needed without overwhelming the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

She tried out on the West Coast stage and took small movie parts, advancing gradually in 1939 to be the dewy thing sighed over by Douglas Fairbanks Jr in Gunga Din and the dopiest of The Women in George Cukor's film of Clare Boothe Luce's Broadway play.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The conversion of the implanted OCP was ascertained to advance gradually with implantation periods.

Biomaterials

In Britain, the floor is adjusted annually on the advice of economists and statisticians in the Low Pay Commission; it has generally advanced gradually.

The Economist

It put forward demands and resolutions; it sent delegations to the Government in the belief that African grievances could be settled through peaceful discussion and that Africans could advance gradually to full political rights.

The Guardian

Some 30,000 soldiers and militiamen from the Popular Mobilisation (al-Hashd al-Shaabi) force, backed by Iraqi jets and helicopters, have advanced gradually since the offensive began on Monday.

BBC

In the area of Petrinja, the HV advanced gradually only to be pushed back in some areas by an ARSK counter-attack.

Wikipedia

Administration of parenteral nutrition starts at day 2 and will be advanced gradually until amino-acid intake reaches 3 g/kg/day at day 6.

BMC Pediatrics

The definition of molecular subclassifications of MDS has advanced gradually: "driver mutations" that lead to pathogenesis have been identified by exhaustive gene mutation analysis, molecular architecture has become clear by deep sequencing, and genotype phenotype correlations have been clarified by large-scale analyses.

Cancer Science

Studies have shown that CAG is likely to advance gradually with increasing age, even in asymptomatic subjects [ 35] and there was an upward age-related trend of the prevalence of IM with increasing age [ 36], which is consistent with our results.

BMC Clinical Pathology

It is a tsunami-like phenomenon, slowly advancing and gradually enveloping everything along its way by the force of its progression.

TechCrunch

More importantly, the convergence initially increases with the tunnel advancing, but gradually tends to be a certain value, indicating that the tunnel is stable.

Journal of Modern Transportation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "advancing gradually" to describe processes or developments that unfold in small, consistent steps over time, allowing for adjustments and refinements along the way.

Common error

Avoid using "advancing gradually" when describing situations that require rapid or immediate progress. This phrase is better suited for scenarios where slow and steady progress is acceptable or even preferred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "advancing gradually" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig confirms this usage, showcasing its application across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

34%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "advancing gradually" functions as an adverbial phrase, describing a slow and steady progression. Ludwig's analysis of various sources shows that it is grammatically correct and suitable for describing controlled progress across different fields like science, news and general knowledge as per Wikipedia. While it's most common in neutral registers, remember to consider the context to ensure appropriateness. Alternatives include "progressing incrementally" or "moving forward steadily", each providing a slightly different shade of meaning. Remember not to use this phrase when talking about situations where rapid progress is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Progressing incrementally

Focuses on small, measured steps of progress.

Moving forward steadily

Emphasizes consistent and unwavering advancement.

Developing slowly

Highlights the unhurried pace of development.

Evolving in stages

Suggests a progression through distinct phases.

Proceeding by degrees

Implies advancement through carefully measured increments.

Making steady headway

Conveys consistent progress despite potential obstacles.

Unfolding progressively

Emphasizes the gradual revelation or development of something.

Accreting bit by bit

Suggests growth through the accumulation of small parts.

Building up slowly

Focuses on the gradual construction or accumulation of something.

Marches slowly forward

Emphasizes the slow but determined movement ahead.

FAQs

How can I use "advancing gradually" in a sentence?

You can use "advancing gradually" to describe the speed of a process, for example: "The software is "advancing gradually", allowing for thorough testing at each stage".

What are some alternatives to "advancing gradually"?

Alternatives include phrases like "progressing incrementally", "moving forward steadily", or "developing slowly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "advancing gradually" or "gradually advancing"?

Both "advancing gradually" and "gradually advancing" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the desired emphasis. "Advancing gradually" emphasizes the action of advancing, while "gradually advancing" highlights the gradual nature of the process. In general "advancing gradually" is the most frequent.

What does "advancing gradually" imply about a project or process?

Using "advancing gradually" suggests that the project or process is making progress in small, manageable steps, allowing for careful monitoring and adjustments along the way. This can indicate a deliberate and cautious approach.