evolve incrementally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "evolve incrementally" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing gradual changes or developments in a process, idea, or system. For example, "The software will evolve incrementally to meet user needs." Alternative expressions include "develop gradually" and "progress step by step."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But the staging continues to evolve, incrementally.

The New York Times - Arts

While these promising plans for Redcliffe Way look set to evolve incrementally, through a community-driven campaign, there is another project that Ferguson is keen to see built within his first term – of only three and a half years.

The Guardian - Arts

The core players were split up, then mixed and matched, as Cameron avoided Donna's attempts to expand their fledgling gaming and social network Mutiny, preferring it to evolve incrementally to preserve its perfection; meanwhile, the brilliant computer engineer Gordon sequestered himself under the stairs with his ham radio, sending out messages to ether on his obsolete device.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Worse, they often can and do cause long-lasting and unintended harm to the very users the bills are aimed at protecting. 1. Don't legislate technology using definitions that are either too specific or too general – Disruptive technologies change exponentially, while legal systems evolve incrementally.

Forbes

Neither of these two examples are likely 100percentt grassroots; after all, they didn't just evolve incrementally from happy accidents.

Huffington Post

"Newt empowered us to think big," he wrote, "and said 'institutions should be invented to meet the environment, not evolve incrementally.'" Those "institutions" would come to include nonprofits, political action committees, and consulting groups.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The Redhead is a bar that evolved incrementally into a real restaurant, and an ingenious restaurant at that.

The New York Times - Food

The fund has evolved incrementally from the body envisioned at the Bretton Woods conference, which laid the foundations for the post-World War II economic landscape.

The New York Times

Likewise, the concept of change management as a process of reorganizing, restructuring and reengineering (PDF link), which evolved incrementally over two decades.

Harvard Business Review

Just as the eye — an organ of breathtaking complexity and specialization — evolved incrementally through the combined effects of random mutations and natural selection over millions of years, so, too, Pinker and Bloom insisted, did language.

The New York Times - Books

Yet for decades there has been virtually no debate among credible historians about whether Doubleday had any role in the founding of baseball, which most agree evolved incrementally from earlier games of bats and balls in England.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "evolve incrementally" when you want to emphasize that a process, system, or idea changes gradually over time, often in small steps. This suggests a measured and controlled development.

Common error

Avoid using "evolve incrementally" when the changes are actually rapid or revolutionary. This phrase is best suited for describing gradual, continuous adjustments, not sudden transformations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "evolve incrementally" functions as a verb phrase modified by an adverb, describing a manner of change or development. It specifies how something changes, indicating a gradual and step-by-step process, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "evolve incrementally" describes a process of gradual change and development. It's grammatically sound and appears in diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific literature, as Ludwig AI suggests. While not extremely common, it's a useful phrase when you want to emphasize a measured and continuous progression. Related phrases such as "develop gradually" or "progress steadily" offer similar meanings. Use this phrase carefully to accurately reflect the nature of the changes you are describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progress incrementally

Uses a synonym of 'evolve', offering a direct alternative while maintaining the incremental aspect.

develop gradually

Focuses more on the development aspect, implying a slower pace.

transform incrementally

Similar to evolve, but emphasizes the change in form or nature.

progress steadily

Highlights consistent progress over time, emphasizing stability.

advance in stages

Emphasizes distinct phases or steps in the progression.

grow bit by bit

Suggests a very small and incremental growth pattern.

build up gradually

Focuses on the accumulation or building of something over time.

change slowly

Focuses primarily on the slowness of the change.

mature over time

Implies a natural progression towards greater complexity or completeness.

unfold gradually

Suggests a revealing or unfolding of something over a period.

FAQs

What does "evolve incrementally" mean?

The phrase "evolve incrementally" means to develop or change gradually, in small steps, over time. It emphasizes a slow and continuous process of improvement or adaptation.

How can I use "evolve incrementally" in a sentence?

You can use "evolve incrementally" to describe how systems, processes, or even ideas develop. For example, "The software will "develop incrementally" based on user feedback."

What are some alternatives to "evolve incrementally"?

Some alternatives to "evolve incrementally" include "develop gradually", "progress steadily", or "advance in stages". These phrases all suggest a slow and progressive change.

Is it better to "evolve incrementally" or make sudden changes?

Whether it's better to "evolve incrementally" or make sudden changes depends on the context. Incremental evolution is often preferred when stability and minimal disruption are important, while sudden changes might be necessary for rapid innovation or to address critical issues quickly.