but progressively

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but progressively" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is happening gradually or in stages over time. Example: "The project will be implemented in phases, but progressively, we will see improvements in efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But progressively fewer Catholic dioceses have an official exorcist.

The Guardian

Lenin was 53 when he died, after battling an erratic but progressively debilitating illness.

The New York Times - Science

Retreating into herself, she felt she was gradually but progressively losing her mind.

The Guardian - Books

But progressively, that power is mixed with and shadowed by an awareness of pain, loss, and death.

Cornell University

In each case, the clocks got not merely simpler — though they did that, too — but progressively less figural.

The New Yorker

The association between morphological and mechanical variables was strong at baseline but progressively decreased during the unloading and reambulation cycles.

Bone

The damping derivative was found to be a function of free-stream speed; at low velocities it is negative but progressively increases to a positive value.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

Expression of both genes remained at high levels from early to mid-embryo morphogenesis phase (0 4 days after pollination), but progressively decreased at the seed maturation phase.

Nature

The winners of the Open Pairs did exactly that, starting the four-session final with a 41percentt game, but progressively improving and only taking the lead during the last session.

The New York Times

At first they flicker and crackle individually as if in desultory conversation, but progressively the lights combine in a virtuoso performance, dimming and brightening in geometric patterns, swooshing into a radiantly joyous chorus.

The Guardian

Beginning with a simple question about justice, the Republic in its discursiveness slowly but progressively brings more and more areas into the discussion: first ethics, then politics, then educational theory, then epistemology, and finally metaphysics.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but progressively" to clearly indicate a gradual change or development, especially when contrasting it with a previous state. For instance, "The symptoms were mild at first, but progressively worsened over the week."

Common error

Avoid using "but progressively" when a simpler adverb like "gradually" or "increasingly" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or verbose. Opt for conciseness when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

But progressively functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a gradual change or development over time. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in scientific, news, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but progressively" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that indicates a gradual or step-by-step change over time. Ludwig AI validates its common usage across diverse fields, including science, news, and academia. While versatile, it's best used when emphasizing a contrast and can be replaced with simpler alternatives like "gradually" in less formal contexts. The phrase serves to provide a nuanced understanding of evolving situations, making it a valuable tool in both formal and neutral writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but gradually

Emphasizes a slow, steady change over time.

yet increasingly

Highlights the growing intensity or frequency of something.

however steadily

Indicates a consistent and unwavering progression.

though incrementally

Focuses on small, step-by-step advancements.

while consistently

Suggests a continuous and reliable pattern of change.

still steadily

Implies a persistent, unhurried development.

even as it advances

Highlights a continuing process of improvement.

on the other hand, it develops

Presents a contrasting development or progression.

in contrast, it evolves

Show a gradual evolution.

conversely, it increases

Introduces an increasing quality in an opposing context.

FAQs

How can I use "but progressively" in a sentence?

Use "but progressively" to show a gradual change over time, often in contrast to a previous state. For example, "Initially, the pain was manageable, but progressively worsened."

What are some alternatives to "but progressively"?

You can use alternatives like "but gradually", "yet increasingly", or "however steadily" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "but" before "progressively"?

No, "but" is used to introduce a contrast. If there's no contrast, you can simply use "progressively". For instance, "The situation progressively improved" is perfectly acceptable.

What's the difference between "but progressively" and "but gradually"?

While similar, "but progressively" often implies a more directed or consequential development than "but gradually". "Progressively" suggests a step-by-step advancement, while "gradually" emphasizes a slow, continuous change.