deteriorated gradually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deteriorated gradually" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a process of decline or worsening that occurs slowly over time. Example: "The condition of the old building deteriorated gradually, leading to significant structural issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

His sight deteriorated gradually.

The New York Times

The nervous system was remarkably well preserved, but the muscles deteriorated gradually over time.

The New York Times - Science

Ms. Marin, 51, said she believed that the quality of local news had deteriorated gradually in recent decades.

The New York Times

Subjective health deteriorated gradually during restricted sleep (p = .002) and returned to baseline levels after three days of recovery.

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity

A few months after onset the patient's health deteriorated gradually into akinetic mutism, which progressed further.

BMC Infectious Diseases

This episode subsided spontaneously without treatment, but there were repeated recurrences and his renal function deteriorated gradually.

BMC Nephrology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

All the pre-match prognostications were that the pitch, dry as a ship's biscuit, would not only produce the best batting conditions of the match over the first few days but would then deteriorate gradually: batting first was non-negotiable and Alastair Cook had little hesitation.

The Guardian - Sport

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a high risk of abnormal glucose metabolism, which deteriorates gradually over time.

Reproductive BioMedicine Online

However, as the number of acoustic-phonetic classes gets smaller or larger than 32, speaker identification performance deteriorates gradually.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

However, when the concentration (optimum mass concentration) is over 1 wt%, the CHF is basically close to a constant value, and the heat transfer deteriorates gradually.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The scanning electron micrographs reveal an increase in particle size of the negative electrode on cycling, which causes the performance of AgO-Zn cells to deteriorate gradually.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deteriorated gradually" to describe processes where the decline is not sudden, but happens incrementally over a period. This emphasizes the slow and often unnoticed nature of the deterioration.

Common error

Avoid using "deteriorated gradually" in situations where the gradual nature of the decline is already implied. For example, saying "the ancient ruins deteriorated gradually over centuries" is redundant because the passage of centuries already suggests a gradual process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deteriorated gradually" primarily functions as a verb phrase, modifying a subject by indicating a slow decline. Ludwig examples show its usage in describing health, quality, and conditions over time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deteriorated gradually" effectively conveys a process of slow decline and is deemed grammatically correct according to Ludwig. Occurring most frequently in scientific and news contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various communication styles. The phrase emphasizes the incremental nature of decline, distinguishing it from sudden or rapid deterioration. When using "deteriorated gradually", it is important to ensure that the context doesn't already imply a gradual process to avoid redundancy, as per Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

declined steadily

Focuses on a consistent downward trend.

worsened progressively

Emphasizes the increasing severity of the deterioration.

degenerated slowly

Suggests a decline in quality or moral character over time.

faded gradually

Implies a loss of strength or vibrancy over time.

eroded over time

Suggests a gradual wearing away or destruction.

regressed incrementally

Focuses on a step-by-step decline.

slipped slowly

Implies a gentle and almost imperceptible decline.

disintegrated progressively

Suggests a breakdown into smaller parts over time.

fell into disrepair over time

Specifically refers to the gradual decay of something physical.

lost ground slowly

Implies a gradual loss of progress or advantage.

FAQs

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

You can use "deteriorated gradually" to describe a slow process of decline or worsening, as in "The patient's condition "deteriorated gradually" over several months".

What are some alternatives to "deteriorated gradually"?

Alternatives include "declined steadily", "worsened progressively", or "faded gradually", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "deteriorated gradually" formal or informal?

"Deteriorated gradually" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal writing might benefit from a more precise synonym depending on the subject matter. For example, in scientific writing, "regressed incrementally" might be appropriate.

What's the difference between "deteriorated gradually" and "deteriorated rapidly"?

"Deteriorated gradually" implies a slow, incremental decline, while "deteriorated rapidly" suggests a quick and sudden decline. The choice depends on the actual pace of the deterioration being described.