decreased gradually

USAGE SUMMARY

"decreased gradually" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are describing a slow, gradual decrease in something. For example: "The amount of rain in the area decreased gradually over the course of the summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thereafter, concentrations decreased gradually.

Animal Reproduction Science

Homelessness in general has also decreased gradually since the recession.

The Guardian

The number of soldiers decreased gradually as the security situation improved.

The New York Times

"After 2008, the prices decreased gradually," Mr. Kirejczyk said.

The New York Times

The sensitivity decreased gradually as the storage period increased.

Journal of Food Engineering

The temperature decreased gradually from the runners to overflow launders.

Journal of Alloys and Compounds

Above this point, the tensile strength decreased gradually with increasing.

Composites Part B: Engineering

As the inflorescence developmental stage progressed, the mucilage content decreased gradually.

Current Plant Biology

Results show that the stresses can be decreased gradually with increasing the layer number (N).

Materials Science and Engineering: A

With increasing of RA contents in both RAC and GRC, the compressive strength decreased gradually.

Journal of Hazardous Materials

However, deoxygenation activity and isomerization selectivity decreased gradually with increasing amount of shell silica.

Journal of Catalysis

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or data over time, use "decreased gradually" to show a smooth, continuous decline rather than an abrupt drop. For example, "The unemployment rate decreased gradually over the last quarter."

Common error

Ensure the adverb "gradually" accurately reflects the nature of the decrease. If the reduction was rapid, consider using phrases like "decreased sharply" or "plummeted".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decreased gradually" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing the manner in which something decreased. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to indicate a slow and continuous reduction over time. Examples include describing trends in data or changes in conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

79%

News & Media

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decreased gradually" is a versatile phrase used to describe a slow and continuous decline. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English across various contexts. Its high frequency, especially in scientific and news publications, underscores its reliability and acceptance. When writing, ensure the 'gradual' nature aligns with the intended meaning to avoid misrepresentation. Consider alternatives such as "declined steadily" or "reduced progressively" for nuanced expression. "Decreased gradually" functions as an adverbial modifier and maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for diverse audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Declined steadily

Replaces "decreased" with "declined" and "gradually" with "steadily", emphasizing a consistent rate of reduction.

Reduced progressively

Substitutes "decreased" with "reduced" and "gradually" with "progressively", highlighting the step-by-step nature of the decrease.

Diminished slowly

Uses "diminished" in place of "decreased" and "slowly" instead of "gradually", focusing on the pace of the reduction.

Eased off gradually

Employs a more informal tone, suggesting a gentle and progressive lessening of intensity or amount.

Tapered down slowly

Implies a reduction to a point, decreasing in width. It's suited when specifically talking about progressive reduction to zero or a negligible amount.

Waned incrementally

Uses "waned" to signify a decrease in strength or intensity, combined with "incrementally" to emphasize small steps.

Subsided gradually

Suggests a calming down or settling, often used in the context of emotions or phenomena such as storms or swelling.

Faded away slowly

Conveys a sense of disappearing or becoming less noticeable over time, suitable for abstract concepts or visual elements.

Lessened by degrees

Emphasizes the step-by-step reduction, often used in formal contexts.

Dwindled over time

Expresses a reduction in quantity, implying a long duration for the reduction to occur.

FAQs

How can I use "decreased gradually" in a sentence?

You can use "decreased gradually" to describe a slow and continuous reduction in something over time. For instance, "The frequency of adverse events decreased gradually over time".

What are some alternatives to "decreased gradually"?

Alternatives include "declined steadily", "reduced progressively", or "diminished slowly", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify 'gradually' when something decreases?

No, specifying 'gradually' is only necessary when you want to emphasize that the decrease occurred slowly and continuously. If the rate of decrease isn't important, you can simply say "decreased".

What's the difference between "decreased gradually" and "decreased sharply"?

"Decreased gradually" implies a slow, continuous reduction, whereas "decreased sharply" suggests a rapid and significant drop. The choice depends on the specific nature of the change you're describing.