but steadily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but steadily" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is happening consistently or gradually over time, often in contrast to a previous statement. Example: "The project faced many challenges, but steadily, the team made progress towards their goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The climate is slowly but steadily changing".

The New York Times

The changes come slowly but steadily.

The New York Times - Arts

It gradually but steadily improves.

Harvard Business Review

Time will crawl, but steadily.

The New York Times - Sports

Recognition came slowly but steadily.

The New Yorker

That is changing slowly but steadily.

The New York Times - Science

The birds should brown slowly but steadily.

The New York Times - Food

"It's increasing slowly but steadily," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

Rain starts to fall, slowly but steadily.

The New York Times - Travel

Slowly but steadily, the divide between us increased.

University of Pennsylvania

Rain is falling pretty lightly but steadily now.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but steadily" to show contrast with a previous statement while highlighting consistent progress or change. This is particularly effective when things are not happening quickly.

Common error

Avoid using "but steadily" when describing events that happen quickly or are expected to occur rapidly. It's best suited for scenarios where progress is gradual over a longer period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but steadily" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two clauses or parts of a sentence, indicating a contrast while emphasizing the consistent and gradual nature of the action or state described. This is evident in the examples provided by Ludwig, where "but steadily" is used to highlight ongoing progress despite challenges or slow initial pace.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

19%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but steadily" is a grammatically sound and frequently used conjunctive adverbial phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it's correct and suitable for various contexts to indicate gradual and consistent progress, setting a contrast between initial situations and subsequent developments. It's most common in "News & Media", "Science", and encyclopedic sources, making it a versatile choice for expressing reassurance and persistence. When using this phrase, remember to reserve it for scenarios involving slow yet reliable progress. Alternatives like "yet consistently" or "however gradually" can offer similar nuances. Overall, "but steadily" serves as a useful tool for conveying a sense of determined progress over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but surely

Implies confidence in the outcome, indicating that progress is being made without a doubt.

yet surely

Similar to "but surely", but replaces "but" with "yet" maintaining the steady progression.

yet consistently

Replaces "steadily" with "consistently", emphasizing the constant nature of the progress despite a potential contrast.

however gradually

Replaces "steadily" with "gradually", focusing on the slow pace of the progression.

though incrementally

Emphasizes the step-by-step nature of the progress, highlighting small gains over time.

nevertheless progressively

More formal replacement, highlights the advancing nature of the action.

albeit continuously

More formal, emphasizes the uninterrupted nature of the progression, even if slow.

even so unfalteringly

This alternative brings a high level of determinination.

still relentlessly

Highlights the persistent and determined nature of the progression, despite potential obstacles.

in spite of everything, certainly

It adds a sense of overcoming adversity and assures the certainty of progress.

FAQs

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

The phrase "but steadily" is used to indicate that something is progressing consistently, even if slowly. For example, "The team faced initial setbacks, but steadily, they improved their performance."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "but steadily"?

Alternatives to "but steadily" include "yet consistently", "however gradually", or "though incrementally". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "but steadily"?

Yes, "but steadily" is grammatically correct. The word "but" introduces a contrast, and "steadily" modifies the verb to indicate a consistent manner of progression.

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

While both phrases imply slow progress, "but steadily" emphasizes the consistency of the progress, whereas "but gradually" simply highlights the slow pace. You might use "but steadily" when emphasizing reliability and persistence.