an accretion of

USAGE SUMMARY

"an accretion of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to mean a growth or increase in something by gradual addition of more over time. For example, "He had an accretion of wealth throughout his life due to his investments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

I anticipate an accretion of Olympic action.

The New Yorker

Science is an accretion of provisional certainties.

The New Yorker

The restaurant seems less like a coherently planned environment than an accretion of whimsies.

The New York Times - Food

"There has been an accretion of anger building up over the years".

The New York Times

Eric, you see, is a contingent creation, an accretion of habits and conventions, a postmodern construction.

The New York Times

Their billowing chiffon gowns had shredded skirts of a parrot-feather print or flounces like an accretion of fan coral.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

In this model giant planet formation is divided into two stages: a) accretion of a core of approximately and b) accretion of gas from the protoplanetary disk.

Wikipedia

About 1% of supermassive black holes have an "accretion disk" of gas and dust swirling around them.

Science Magazine

A black hole grows by feeding off an accretion disk of gas and dust that orbits around it (pictured).

Science Magazine

Such yawning gaps among industries have become a defining feature of the nation's corporate tax code, an unwieldy accretion of rules and exceptions that amount to a reward for some kinds of businesses and a rebuke for others.

The New York Times

But it is really just an intuitive accretion of marks and scrapes with a brush and palette knife.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an accretion of" when you want to emphasize a gradual and cumulative increase or build-up of something over time. This phrase works well in both abstract and concrete contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "an accretion of" to describe something that happened suddenly or all at once. The term implies a slow, additive process, so ensure the context reflects this gradual accumulation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an accretion of" functions primarily as a noun phrase modifier. It typically precedes a noun to describe a gradual accumulation or build-up of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an accretion of" is a versatile phrase used to describe a gradual increase or accumulation over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted in English writing. The phrase appears frequently in news media, science, and encyclopedic sources, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure the context aligns with the concept of incremental growth rather than sudden change. Alternatives such as "an accumulation of" or "a buildup of" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Overall, "an accretion of" is a valuable phrase for expressing the concept of gradual growth or accumulation in a variety of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an accumulation of

A more general term for gathering or heaping up, similar but less specific.

a buildup of

Focuses more on the process of accumulating, often implying a negative consequence.

a gradual increase in

Emphasizes the slow and progressive nature of the growth.

a collection of

Suggests a deliberate gathering of items, rather than a gradual increase.

a progressive addition to

Highlights the continuous and additive nature of the process.

a growing amount of

Implies an increase in quantity or volume over time.

an expanding array of

Focuses on an increase in variety or range.

a mounting pile of

Suggests a heap that is growing in size.

a developing mass of

Implies the formation of a larger entity through gradual addition.

a snowballing effect of

Suggests an effect which becomes bigger and bigger or more and more important.

FAQs

How can I use "an accretion of" in a sentence?

Use "an accretion of" to describe a gradual build-up or accumulation over time, such as "The museum's collection represents an accretion of artifacts spanning centuries" or "The policy changes resulted in an accretion of bureaucratic procedures".

What phrases are similar to "an accretion of"?

Similar phrases include "an accumulation of", "a buildup of", or "a collection of". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the accretion of" without "an"?

While "accretion of" is grammatically correct, using "an accretion of" implies one instance or example of this process, which is often the intended meaning. "The accretion of" is used when referring to the general process or phenomenon of accretion.

How does "an accretion of" differ from "an accumulation of"?

While similar, "an accretion of" often implies a more gradual and less intentional process compared to "an accumulation of". Accretion also carries the connotation of slow growth through external additions.