built up gradually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "built up gradually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process or development that occurs slowly over time, often in a positive context. Example: "The team's trust was built up gradually through consistent communication and collaboration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Though they have since been built up gradually, she said, they remain about 10percentt below pre-Sept.

The New York Times

If the sediment had built up gradually, the upper portions should show more damage; instead, except for the roof's dome, at the surface, its preservation is consistent from bottom to top.

The New York Times - Science

And then there's her experience, her contacts built up gradually during years of work at relatively high levels … Ever since the start of her political career, she has worked on foreign policy.

The Guardian

Still photos showed little difference between the expressions, but video analysis revealed a crucial distinction: typically, happy smiles built up gradually, while frustrated smiles appeared quickly but faded fast.

MIT Technology Review

"What we found is in good agreement with computer simulations in which galaxies are built up gradually from the merger of smaller clouds of hot gas and dark matter". The computer simulations were done by Jesper Sommer-Lalson (also a coauthor of the report) and collaborators at the University of Copenhagen.

Harvard University

His threat was a measure of the seriousness of the crisis which has built up gradually since the night of May 28th to 29th when Alma Shalabayeva (pictured with her daughter), the wife of a Kazakh dissident, was removed from her home on the outskirts of Rome and, on May 31st, sent back to an uncertain fate in her native land, along with her six year-old daughter.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

1Q84 is not self-consciously hard-boiled in the manner of Murakami's early fiction (say, A Wild Sheep Chase), but it builds up gradually to a few passages of extremely potent suspense.

The Guardian - Books

Subsequently, viral diversity builds up gradually during HIV infection, first in a linear fashion but then at decreasing rates until a plateau is reached [ 2, 3].

Clinical Infectious Diseases

The effect builds up gradually, so don't expect immediate results, but after a couple of weeks the cat should feel safer and more reassured.

WikiHow

Their bottom profiles, therefore, build up gradually with time.

Britannica

Repeat four to six times; build up gradually to eight to 12 repetitions.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "built up gradually", ensure that the context clearly indicates the starting point and the expected outcome of the gradual development. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "built up gradually" when describing something that happens quickly or instantaneously. This creates a contradiction and undermines the credibility of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "built up gradually" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing how an action or process occurs. It indicates that something has increased or developed over a period of time, rather than happening suddenly. Ludwig confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "built up gradually" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that describes a process occurring slowly and incrementally. Ludwig confirms its appropriate usage. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, indicating its versatility across different domains. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the starting point and desired outcome. Alternatives such as "developed slowly" or "accumulated over time" may be suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

developed slowly

Focuses on the pace of the development itself.

accumulated over time

Emphasizes the collection of something in small increments.

progressed incrementally

Highlights the step-by-step nature of the advancement.

evolved steadily

Suggests a natural and consistent development.

increased bit by bit

Emphasizes the small, individual contributions to the overall growth.

expanded in stages

Highlights the distinct phases of growth or enlargement.

grew incrementally

Similar to "progressed incrementally", emphasizing gradual growth.

unfolded gradually

Implies a revelation or unfolding of events over time.

advanced in phases

Similar to "expanded in stages", but can apply to processes beyond physical growth.

ramped up slowly

Suggests a measured increase, often in production or intensity.

FAQs

How can I use "built up gradually" in a sentence?

You can use "built up gradually" to describe processes that develop slowly over time. For instance, "The city's infrastructure was "built up gradually" over several decades" or "Her confidence "built up gradually" as she gained more experience".

What are some alternatives to saying "built up gradually"?

Alternatives to "built up gradually" include phrases like "developed slowly", "accumulated over time", or "progressed incrementally", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "gradually built up" instead of "built up gradually"?

While "gradually built up" is also grammatically correct and understandable, ""built up gradually"" is the more common and natural-sounding phrasing, especially when emphasizing the process of building or accumulation.

What's the difference between "built up gradually" and "developed rapidly"?

"Built up gradually" implies a slow, incremental process, whereas "developed rapidly" suggests a fast, accelerated pace of development. They are antonyms, describing opposite rates of change.