be slow to evolve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be slow to evolve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or entity that takes time to change or adapt. Example: "In a rapidly changing industry, companies that are slow to evolve may find themselves at a disadvantage."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Society might be slow to evolve, but individuals are not.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Hence, small speckle will disappear quickly, while large scale interfaces will be slow to evolve.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Hence, small jagged noise artifacts will disappear quickly, while large-scale interfaces will be slow to evolve.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

In these cases, escape from specific immune memory may not affect fitness or, if immune pressure is weak, escape phenotypes may be slow to evolve.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

Only 3 10% of dystrophy gene duplicates appear to have been maintained since the teleost genome duplication, fewer than other gene groups studied in fish, indicating that the dystrophy-related genes may be slow to evolve independent functions or regulation.

BMC Genomics

A second problem is that the genetic uniformity of the offspring leads to a much lower genetic diversity, which is likely to make it much more difficult to adapt, for example, to changing environments or to parasites; consequently, asexual species should be slow to evolve [ 3, 5].

BMC Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Furthermore, hypereosinophilia is an early warning sign, as seroconversion and egg excretion may be slower to evolve.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Realism in all the arts was slow to evolve.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately, regulation of these procedures has been slow to evolve.

The New York Times

A nearly iconic fact of life in the United States, urban sprawl had been slow to evolve in Europe.

The Guardian

The disadvantage of controlled vocabulary systems such as subject headings lists is that they are slow to evolve.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be slow to evolve" to describe processes, systems, or entities that require significant time to adapt or change, especially when contrasting them with faster-evolving alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "be slow to evolve" when referring to simple changes or updates; reserve it for describing fundamental shifts in structure, function, or behavior over extended periods.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be slow to evolve" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a process or entity's delayed or gradual development. As shown in Ludwig, it often describes systems, policies, or even species that do not readily adapt to changing conditions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be slow to evolve" is a grammatically correct and usable verb phrase that describes a delayed or gradual process of change or adaptation. According to Ludwig, this phrase appears most frequently in scientific, news, and business contexts. It's important to use the phrase when describing fundamental shifts, not simple updates, and to be mindful of its potential implications of criticism. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is valid and provides helpful examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evolve at a snail's pace

Emphasizes the gradual and protracted nature of the evolutionary process.

change at a sluggish rate

Highlights the lack of speed in the process of transformation.

adapt gradually

Focuses on the incremental nature of adaptation to new conditions.

develop incrementally

Stresses the stepwise and progressive nature of development.

take a long time to mature

Emphasizes the extended duration required for reaching full development.

be resistant to change

Highlights the difficulty or unwillingness to adopt new methods or ideas.

show delayed progress

Emphasizes the slow pace of advancement or improvement.

demonstrate a protracted development

Highlights the extended period over which development occurs.

exhibit a lagging transformation

Focuses on the behind-schedule aspect of the transformation process.

undergo a belated evolution

Stresses that the evolution is happening later than expected or desired.

FAQs

How can I use "be slow to evolve" in a sentence?

You can use "be slow to evolve" to describe something that takes a long time to change or adapt. For example, "Certain industries "be slow to evolve" due to regulatory constraints".

What are some alternatives to "be slow to evolve"?

Alternatives include phrases like "evolve at a snail's pace", "change at a sluggish rate", or "adapt gradually", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What does it mean for something to "be slow to evolve"?

When something is "slow to evolve", it means that it takes a considerable amount of time to adapt to new circumstances or environments, often lagging behind other entities or processes.

Is it always negative for something to "be slow to evolve"?

Not necessarily. While it can be a disadvantage in rapidly changing environments, sometimes a deliberate and cautious approach to evolution can ensure stability and avoid unintended consequences.