evolutionary

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'evolutionary' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe changes that have taken place gradually over time, such as new species, new ideas, behavior, or technologies. Example sentence: The use of computers has gone through an evolutionary process since their introduction in the 1950s.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She compared their evolutionary radiations – or how species adapt to and fill ecological niches – to famous examples like Darwin's finches in the Galapagos or the cichlids of East Africa's lakes.

The Guardian

In theory, however, we'll be able to counter this evolutionary handicap by engineering our marriages with drugs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The evolutionary marvels of the Galapagos are also best and most easily appreciated by boat.

The Guardian - Travel

"Some major evolutionary changes would be required to make it more transmissible; not just tweaking around the edges but big changes in the way it behaves.

The Guardian

Or is there an underlying evolutionary drive whereby sex outside a relationship could potentially give you more offspring if you are a man, or better-quality children if you're a woman?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Medical schools, still under the spell of Darwinism, wanted full corpses and skeletons to compare with the Anglo Saxon dead, so they might reinforce the fallacious orthodoxy that each race represented a distinct evolutionary phase.

The Guardian

Robin Dunbar, the director of the institute of cognitive and evolutionary anthropology at Oxford University, showed the audience how he had scientifically unwrapped the sentiment and cant surrounding modern ideas about friendship and the enhancing role of social networking technology.

The Guardian - Tech

Forms of altruism are hardwired into all creatures who live in social groups, in the same way that deep evolutionary instincts drive parents to quite extreme behaviour to ensure the survival of their offspring.

The Guardian

The EDGE currently lists the Lake Oku clawed frog (Xenopus longipes) as number 35 out of some 7,000 amphibian species in terms of its evolutionary distinctness (or how far they are separated from other species on the tree of life) and its proximity to extinction.

The Guardian

While certain elements of combat will endure, the evolutionary nature and character of modern warfare means it is right that our armed forces change in a changing world.

The Guardian

They attributed the larger wide plates to males, in keeping with the "handicap hypothesis", which sees males invest in cumbersome body parts to prove their evolutionary fitness.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing long-term developments or changes in biological or social systems, use "evolutionary" to highlight the gradual and adaptive nature of the process.

Common error

Avoid using "evolutionary" when "revolutionary" is more appropriate. "Evolutionary" implies gradual change, while "revolutionary" indicates sudden, radical transformation.

Linguistic Context

The word "evolutionary" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe processes or characteristics related to gradual development or change over time. This is consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment that it's a correct and usable adjective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

28%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "evolutionary" is a versatile term used to describe gradual development and change. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its prevalence in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business domains. When using "evolutionary", ensure it accurately reflects gradual change, distinguishing it from sudden or revolutionary transformations. Alternative phrases such as "developmental", "progressive", and "gradual" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

developmental

Focuses on the process of growth or maturation, often within a specific timeframe or context.

adaptive

Related to the ability to adjust to new conditions, emphasizing flexibility and responsiveness.

progressive

Emphasizes forward movement and improvement, suggesting a series of advancements.

dynamic

Highlights the active and changing nature, suggesting constant movement and energy.

gradual

Highlights the slow and incremental nature of change, lacking the biological or systemic implications.

incremental

Focuses on small, measurable steps of change, lacking the broader systemic implications.

transformative

Indicates a significant and profound change, often with a more dramatic impact.

changing

A general term for alteration, less specific than "evolutionary" in its scope and implications.

stepwise

Suggests a series of distinct stages or phases in a process of change.

scalable

Implies the ability to increase or decrease in size or capacity, not necessarily involving gradual change.

FAQs

How to use "evolutionary" in a sentence?

The word "evolutionary" is an adjective that describes something related to evolution or gradual development. For example, "The evolutionary history of mammals is well-documented."

What can I say instead of "evolutionary"?

You can use alternatives like "developmental", "progressive", or "gradual" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "evolutionary" and "revolutionary"?

"Evolutionary" refers to gradual change over time, while "revolutionary" implies a sudden and significant transformation.

Is it correct to use "evolutionary" when describing non-biological changes?

Yes, "evolutionary" can be used to describe gradual changes in various contexts, such as technology or culture, not just in biology.