develop over time

USAGE SUMMARY

"develop over time" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use the phrase in any situation in which something is changing or evolving as time passes. For example: "My understanding of the situation has developed over time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's early days but you can see how this might develop over time.

TechCrunch

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

Huffington Post

This needs to develop over time".

The New York Times

Some problems can develop over time and become obvious later.

The Guardian - Opinion

Of course, familiarity can only develop over time.

The New York Times

The idea of a symphony orchestra must develop over time or it will become a museum".

The Guardian - Music

Did the plot come suddenly to you, or did it develop over time?

The Guardian

I got to see it change and develop over time; I learned a huge amount.

The Guardian

Such passions develop over time, and the impulses behind them are often complex.

The New York Times

Plant meanings also tend to develop over time and across space.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Each community's musical concepts and values develop over time through complex social and cultural processes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "develop over time" to describe processes, skills, or relationships that improve or change bit by bit, emphasizing the continuous nature of the evolution.

Common error

Avoid using "develop over time" when describing events that happen quickly or spontaneously. This phrase implies a gradual process, not an instant change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop over time" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a clause. It describes the gradual evolution or progression of a subject. Ludwig AI examples confirm its use in various contexts to illustrate how things change and grow.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "develop over time" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase suitable for describing gradual changes or progressions. As Ludwig AI indicates, it functions as a verb phrase that emphasizes the gradual nature of development across various contexts from News & Media and Science to more informal settings. To enhance your writing, use it to highlight ongoing and incremental processes, while avoiding it when describing sudden events. Consider alternatives like "evolve gradually" or "mature progressively" to add nuance. Remember that source authority weighs in favor of using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evolve gradually

Focuses on the slow and continuous nature of change.

mature progressively

Highlights the advancement towards completeness through stages.

unfold incrementally

Emphasizes a step-by-step revelation or development.

grow steadily

Implies consistent and reliable expansion or progress.

emerge gradually

Stresses the slow appearance or coming into being.

transform slowly

Highlights a gradual change in form or character.

progress steadily

Focuses on consistent advancement towards a goal.

advance gradually

Implies slow and methodical movement forward.

form incrementally

Emphasizes the gradual creation or shaping of something.

build up progressively

Highlights the accumulation of something over a period.

FAQs

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

You can use "develop over time" to describe how skills, relationships, or even diseases progress gradually. For instance, "Her understanding of the subject developed over time as she gained more experience."

What's a good alternative to "develop over time"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "evolve gradually", "mature progressively", or "unfold incrementally".

Is it always necessary to include "over time" when talking about development?

No, it's not always necessary. The phrase "develops" already implies a process. Adding "over time" emphasizes the gradual nature of the development. If you want to highlight speed and gradualness you can also use the adverbial phrase "develop rapidly".

What kind of things typically "develop over time"?

Skills, relationships, understanding, diseases, and even traffic patterns can "develop over time". The phrase is suitable for anything that experiences gradual change or growth.