building up over time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "building up over time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual accumulation or increase of something, whether it's emotions, experiences, or physical objects. Example: "The tension in the room was palpable, having been building up over time due to unresolved conflicts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

I had strong objections, building up over time.

The New Yorker

I think all those songs were just building up over time, and I couldn't get 'em out making hip-hop music".

The New York Times - Magazine

He recommends that parents accompany their teens in the full range of conditions, building up over time to more challenging scenarios such as icy roads or rain.

The Washington Post

Nest tries to steer away from focusing on the short term – it argues that its members will be signed up for perhaps 30, 40 or even 50 years, "so what happens in one or two years may not represent longer-term returns, and the positive effect of contributions building up over time".

The Guardian - Money

Success is about building up over time and understanding the fine lines.

Forbes

The fact that your anger has been building up over time is not their fault it's yours.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Arne Kalleberg, a sociology professor at the University of North Carolina and author of the book "Good Jobs, Bad Jobs," said: "The strikes are an indication of a great frustration that's been building up over a long time.

The New York Times

"Frustration has been building up over a period of time.

BBC

There was so much pus inside that had been building up over such a long time that it needed a release, it needed to explode.

Huffington Post

And there's a sort of complacency and a automatic pilot to their self-defeating policies that's been building up over a long period of time.

The New Yorker

Over all, I found that downloading my heart rate data, saving it in a computer and building up charts over time gave me a better sense of how my training is -- or isn't -- going.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "building up over time" when you want to emphasize a gradual, continuous process of accumulation or development, whether it's emotional, physical, or conceptual.

Common error

Avoid using "building up over time" as a one-size-fits-all substitute for more precise verbs that capture the specific nature of the increase or development. For example, instead of saying "debt was building up over time", use "debt was accumulating" to sound more authoritative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "building up over time" functions as a verb phrase with an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying a verb to indicate a process of gradual accumulation or development. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "building up over time" effectively conveys the idea of a gradual increase or development. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and commonly used expression across various contexts like news, science, and general writing. While versatile, consider synonyms such as "accumulate gradually" or "develop incrementally" for increased precision in more formal settings. Be mindful of overusing it as a generic substitute for more specific verbs. Remembering these points will help ensure effective and nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accumulate gradually

Focuses on the gradual accumulation of something rather than the process of building.

develop incrementally

Emphasizes the step-by-step development process.

grow progressively

Highlights the continuous and forward-moving aspect of the growth.

increase steadily

Focuses on the consistent and unwavering rise of something.

escalate gradually

Implies a gradual increase in intensity or seriousness.

intensify over time

Specifically refers to the increasing intensity of something.

build momentum gradually

Highlights the slow and steady creation of momentum.

accrue over the long haul

Emphasizes the accumulation over a considerable period.

compound gradually

Implies an effect that increases exponentially over time.

evolve progressively

Suggests a step-by-step change process.

FAQs

How can I use "building up over time" in a sentence?

You can use "building up over time" to describe a gradual accumulation or increase of something. For example: "The pressure had been "building up over time", leading to the final outburst."

What are some alternatives to "building up over time"?

Alternatives include "accumulate gradually", "develop incrementally", or "grow progressively", depending on the specific context.

Is "building up over time" formal or informal?

"Building up over time" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal situations might benefit from using synonyms such as "accumulate gradually" for increased precision.

What's the difference between "building up over time" and "accumulating rapidly"?

"Building up over time" suggests a gradual and continuous process, whereas "accumulating rapidly" implies a faster rate of increase. The choice depends on the specific context and the rate at which something is increasing.