develops gradually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "develops gradually" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a process or change that occurs slowly over time. Example: "The relationship between the two characters develops gradually throughout the novel, revealing deeper emotions and connections."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Gaze perception develops gradually during the first year of life in typical development (Symons, Hains, & Muir, 1998), but rudimentary forms of gaze-following are present from days after birth (Farroni et al., 2003).

Developmental Review

Arterial occlusion leads to ischemia and to the development of collateral vessels if conditions are favorable and the occlusion develops gradually.

Basic Research in Cardiology

Bogdan suggests that self-consciousness develops gradually during childhood.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In Wired, Chris Nashawaty writes about Jerusalem syndrome: The psychosis typical of Jerusalem syndrome develops gradually.

The New Yorker

Like most complex skills, good driving develops gradually, in much the same way as sports.

The New York Times

The slippery slope mutes our awareness when unethical behavior develops gradually.

Harvard Business Review

A degenerative meniscal tear develops gradually as repeated everyday movements wear down the cartilage.

University of California, Berkeley

We hypothesized that polarity develops gradually and that the channels structurally and functionally resemble bile canaliculi.

Experimental Cell Research

However, mucosal damage develops gradually and patients may evince clinical symptoms before histologic changes appear.

Gastroenterology

The disease develops gradually in people who cannot absorb enough vitamin B12, which the body needs to make DNA.

The New York Times - Health

It develops gradually: The company makes initial assumptions, which are modified iteratively as feedback comes in from early customers.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "develops gradually" when you want to emphasize the slow and continuous nature of a process or change. This phrase is particularly useful when describing complex phenomena or skills that require time and experience to fully form.

Common error

Avoid using "develops gradually" when a simpler term like "grows" or "changes" would suffice. Overusing this phrase in simple contexts can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develops gradually" functions as a verb phrase indicating the manner in which something evolves or progresses. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a process unfolding slowly over time. Many Ludwig examples confirm this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

27%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "develops gradually" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to describe processes that unfold slowly over time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is particularly useful in scientific, academic, and news contexts, where precision and detail are important. While highly common, avoid overusing it in simple contexts where more straightforward alternatives exist. The phrase is widely documented in authoritative sources, indicating its acceptance and reliability in formal writing. Alternatives like "progresses slowly" or "evolves incrementally" can be used to add variety while maintaining a similar meaning. As demonstrated by the numerous examples, "develops gradually" is a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progresses slowly

Focuses on the pace of progression, emphasizing the slowness.

unfolds steadily

Highlights the continuous and consistent manner of unfolding.

evolves incrementally

Emphasizes the step-by-step nature of the evolution.

advances steadily

Similar to progresses slowly but with a focus on forward movement.

matures gradually

Implies a natural progression to full development over time.

builds up slowly

Highlights the accumulation of elements over time.

arises incrementally

Focuses on the gradual emergence of something.

emerges slowly

Similar to arises incrementally, emphasizing the pace of emergence.

grows progressively

Highlights the continuous growth and advancement.

takes shape gradually

Emphasizes the process of formation happening over time.

FAQs

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

You can use "develops gradually" to describe processes that unfold slowly, such as "The ability to focus the mind "develops gradually" over time from regular yoga practice" or "Immunity to malaria "develops gradually" following repeated exposure".

What are some alternatives to "develops gradually"?

Alternatives include "progresses slowly", "evolves incrementally", or "emerges slowly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "develops gradually" formal or informal?

"Develops gradually" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but is more frequently found in academic and professional writing. Simpler alternatives might be preferred in very informal settings.

What's the difference between "develops gradually" and "happens suddenly"?

"Develops gradually" describes a slow, continuous process, while "happens suddenly" describes an abrupt event. They are antonyms, representing opposite ends of a spectrum of change.