climb slowly

USAGE SUMMARY

"climb slowly" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe the manner in which someone ascends, emphasizing a gradual pace. For example, "He decided to climb slowly to enjoy the view." Alternative expressions include "ascend gradually" and "scale gently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

First, as Western economies climb slowly out of the slump, labour markets will tighten.

The Economist

Thermometers climb slowly above 220 degrees, but changes to the sugar are irrevocable.

The New York Times - Food

Unlike the white-hot Forest Hills to the west, Jamaica Estates has seen its prices climb slowly in the last two years, about 5percentt a year.

The New York Times

The new regional jets, which are now so popular, start their takeoff slowly and climb slowly, controllers say, a situation that reduces the airport's capacity.

The New York Times

Taking the climb slowly on the fourteenth landing they sat down- at the foot of the statue itself they sat down for a quarter of an hour and smoked a cigarette.

The New Yorker

But I tear myself away and retrace my steps downhill, then climb slowly through the trees and out on to a limestone plateau, a place of sumac bushes, tall grasses and pines.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The state pensionable age is climbing, slowly but relentlessly.

The Guardian - Opinion

We had climbed, slowly, to a high mountain ridge.

The Guardian - Books

It climbs slowly down from the canopy, makes a small hole in the ground, and defecates.

The Economist

He accelerates, arches his chest and climbs slowly, then heads down toward a mountainside.

The Guardian - Travel

We climbed slowly at low engine revolutions to a height of 10,000 feet.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with 'but steadily' to highlight consistency in recovery or progress.

Common error

Avoid using the flat adverb 'climb slow' in formal writing. While 'slow' can function as an adverb in informal contexts, professional and academic standards require "climb slowly" to properly modify the verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "climb slowly" acts as a dynamic verb phrase where the adverb 'slowly' modifies the action verb 'climb'. According to Ludwig AI, it is frequently employed to denote both physical ascent and metaphorical progress in value or status.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "climb slowly" is a versatile and standard English phrase used to describe a gradual upward progression. Whether applied to the physical act of ascending a mountain or the metaphorical recovery of an economy, the phrase emphasizes a deliberate and steady pace. Ludwig indicates that it is particularly favored in high-quality journalism and business reporting to characterize trends that are improving without being volatile. It is grammatically correct and widely accepted across formal and neutral registers, often appearing alongside terms like 'steadily' or 'gradually' to reinforce the concept of measured growth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ascend gradually

Uses a more formal verb choice suitable for technical or elevated prose

scale slowly

Implies more physical effort or the climbing of a specific, steep structure

rise steadily

Focuses on the consistency of the upward movement rather than the act of climbing

increase slowly

A literal alternative used predominantly for data, prices and numerical trends

move up slowly

A simpler, more general description of physical movement upward

clamber slowly

Suggests a more awkward or difficult climb, often using hands and feet

advance slowly

Emphasizes the progress made toward a goal rather than vertical height

creep up

Informal and implies a slow, perhaps unnoticed or stealthy increase

edge higher

Common in financial contexts to describe small, cautious increases

climb bit by bit

Adds idiomatic emphasis to the incremental nature of the progress

FAQs

How to use "climb slowly" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe physical or metaphorical growth, such as "The stock market began to climb slowly after the crash" or "The hikers had to climb slowly due to the thin air".

What can I say instead of "climb slowly"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "ascend gradually", "rise steadily" or "increase slowly".

Is "climb slowly" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. It consists of the verb 'climb' modified by the adverb 'slowly' which describes the manner of the action.

What is the difference between "climb slowly" and "creep up"?

While "climb slowly" suggests a deliberate or visible process, "creep up" often implies that the increase is happening quietly or in a way that is not immediately obvious.