expand gradually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expand gradually" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used when discussing processes or events that increase in size, scope, or intensity at a slow or steady rate. For example, "The company started out small, but gradually expanded over the years to become an international business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It plans to expand gradually through grade five.

The New York Times

Under the pact, they would be allowed to expand gradually to other cities.

The New York Times

Instead of trying to conquer the world, for now FreshDirect limits service to Manhattan (with plans to expand gradually into other boroughs and the New York suburbs).

The New York Times - Tech

The first batch of flights was expected to carry 662 Chinese tourists on package tours from five cities on the mainland, but that number is expected to expand gradually to as many as 3,000 tourists per day.

The New York Times

At the very birth of the republic, in effect, an open-ended mandate for individual rights was inscribed into the DNA of the body politic, with implications that such rights would expand gradually over time.

The New York Times

In another sign of tepid economic conditions, a Federal Reserve report issued Wednesday afternoon found that the economy continued to expand gradually across the country in July and early August, with slower growth in parts of the East Coast.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Too much too soon: they should have built world of mouth and expanded gradually, because the movie deserves to gross at least $35m.

The Guardian - Film

As the link separation increases, the stability region expands gradually and changes from nonconvex to convex.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Given the significant segment of the population that Seguro Popular aimed to cover, the program was expanded gradually throughout Mexico.

Latin American Economic Review

Given the substantial segment of the population that Seguro Popular aimed to reach, the program was rolled-out and expanded gradually.

Latin American Economic Review

As a result, these loans are very limited and astringent with the social relations expanding gradually and the cost increasing.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expand gradually" when you want to emphasize a controlled and measured growth, avoiding rapid or unsustainable expansion. This phrase is particularly effective in business plans or project management, where a step-by-step approach is preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "expand gradually" in situations that demand immediate or rapid scaling. In crises or urgent projects, a more assertive phrase like "rapidly scale" or "immediately deploy" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expand gradually" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. As evidenced by Ludwig, it indicates that something is increasing or developing in a slow, measured way.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

5%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expand gradually" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that describes a process of slow and measured growth. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across various contexts, including news, science, and business, to convey a sense of controlled and deliberate development. While "expand gradually" is not extremely frequent, appearing as 'Uncommon,' its usage is consistent and authoritative. When writing, it’s best to use this phrase when emphasizing a controlled, step-by-step approach, and to avoid it in situations requiring rapid scaling. Alternatives such as "grow incrementally" or "develop steadily" can provide nuanced variations to express a similar concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grow incrementally

Emphasizes growth occurring in small, distinct steps.

develop steadily

Focuses on the consistent and stable nature of the development.

increase progressively

Highlights the step-by-step nature of the increase.

evolve in stages

Suggests a more complex or natural unfolding over time.

unfold gradually

Implies a revealing or unfolding of something that was previously hidden.

advance slowly

Highlights the pace of the progress.

build up over time

Focuses on the cumulative effect of small additions.

progress in phases

Emphasizes the structured and planned nature of the progression.

spread out gradually

Specifies the expansion spatially or distributively.

extend in stages

Focuses on increasing the reach or scope.

FAQs

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

You can use "expand gradually" to describe a slow and methodical growth process. For example, "The company plans to "expand gradually" into new markets over the next five years."

What are some alternatives to "expand gradually"?

Some alternatives to "expand gradually" include "grow incrementally", "develop steadily", and "increase progressively", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of slow growth.

Is it better to "expand gradually" or "grow rapidly"?

The choice between "expand gradually" and "grow rapidly" depends on the context. "Expand gradually" is suitable for sustainable, controlled growth, while "grow rapidly" is appropriate for situations where speed is essential, although this can carry higher risk.

What does it mean to "expand gradually" in a business context?

In a business context, to "expand gradually" means to grow a business at a measured pace, carefully managing resources and risks, rather than aggressively pursuing rapid growth. This approach allows for adjustments and improvements along the way.