develop over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "develop over" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a process or change that occurs gradually over time. Example: "Her love for him began to develop over the years they spent working together." This sentence suggests that the love between the two individuals grew or increased gradually over a period of time. Another example: "The company's success was a result of the strategies they had developed over many years of trial and error." This sentence implies that the strategies were not created overnight, but rather evolved and improved over a significant amount of time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These facts did not just develop over night.

Huffington Post

Mutual attraction may develop over time as you get to know him or her.

Huffington Post

But they will develop over the series.

The Guardian

This needs to develop over time".

The New York Times

In addition, important ideas develop over time.

Harvard Business Review

Your preferences for color develop over your entire lifetime".

The New York Times - Magazine

Some problems can develop over time and become obvious later.

The Guardian - Opinion

I love seeing how their personalities develop over the year.

The Guardian

A subtle tan will develop over the next few hours.

The New York Times - Style

The serious complications of diabetes commonly develop over decades.

The New York Times

Of course, familiarity can only develop over time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "develop over" when you want to emphasize a gradual change or evolution occurring across a specific duration. For example, "The company's culture will "develop over" the next few years as new employees join."

Common error

Avoid using "develop over" when you actually mean "develop into". "Develop over" signifies a process happening during a period, while "develop into" implies a transformation resulting in something. For example, say "The caterpillar developed into a butterfly," not "The caterpillar developed over a butterfly."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop over" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a process of gradual unfolding or evolution across a span of time. Ludwig AI validates this usage, providing examples where it describes changes in plot, personalities, and even physical phenomena.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "develop over" is a versatile phrasal verb signifying gradual evolution or change through time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It is most frequently encountered in news, academic, and scientific sources, showing its adaptability across different contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to avoid confusion with "develop into", which signifies a transformation resulting in a specific outcome. Using "develop over" effectively involves understanding its emphasis on process over a defined timeframe, allowing for a nuanced description of change. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its wide range of applications, from character development in stories to the progression of scientific understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evolve through

Emphasizes a gradual process of change and adaptation, similar to natural selection.

unfold with time

Highlights the revelation of details or events as time passes, suggesting a process of gradual unveiling.

mature across

Implies a process of gaining completeness or perfection over a certain period.

progress through

Focuses on the movement or advancement from one stage to another during a period.

advance during

Highlights forward movement and development happening concurrently with the specified time.

grow progressively

Underscores the gradual and incremental increase or development.

flourish over

Suggests a period of thriving and successful development.

transform gradually

Focuses on the slow and steady alteration of form or appearance.

build up across

Emphasizes the accumulation or increase of something over a defined period.

emerge gradually

Focuses on a slow appearance or coming into existence over a period.

FAQs

How can I use "develop over" in a sentence?

Use "develop over" to describe something that gradually changes or evolves across time. For instance, "The plot of the novel will "develop over" several chapters."

What are some alternatives to "develop over"?

Depending on the context, consider using phrases such as "evolve through", "unfold with time", or "mature across" instead of "develop over".

Is it correct to say "develop over time"?

Yes, "develop over time" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It emphasizes that the development happens gradually as time passes. You can also use ""develop over"" alone.

What's the difference between "develop over" and "improve over"?

"Develop over" implies a more general process of change or evolution, while "improve over" specifically suggests that something is becoming better or more advanced. For example, skills can "develop over" time, while a product can "improve over" iterations.