formed gradually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formed gradually" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a process or development that occurs slowly over time. Example: "The landscape was formed gradually through the erosion of rocks and the deposition of sediment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

"Personal relations formed gradually and became more and more friendly," he said.

The Guardian

The greatest difference between MLEI and LEI occurs where outlying clusters are formed gradually through time.

Landscape and Urban Planning

The simple shear textures were formed gradually and the strongest simple shear textures were observed on the middle of the SSE channel.

Materials Science and Engineering: A

Even when we know that dementia is mercilessly erasing experiences, we still feel that its victims are capable of keeping emotional tabs on their relationships, since those bonds were formed gradually over time.

The Guardian

The SEI film on LTO electrode is formed gradually with the processing of interfacial reaction, which leads to the decrease in the continuous gassing rate of LTO based battery accordingly.

Nature

After MS1 were seeded on Matrigel, capillary-like tubular structures were formed gradually, and some of the capillary-like tubes connected to each other created a mesh-like structure on the Matrigel (Fig. 4A, upper panel).

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

"After the first explosion, at Lubyanka (7:56), traffic jams began to form gradually at the adjacent streets," they wrote.

The New Yorker

As it forms, gradually, it pushes the leaves off the twigs and sends them to the ground.

The New York Times

Continue until satiny peaks begin to form; gradually beat in sugar a tablespoon at a time until meringue is stiff and shiny.

The New York Times - Food

In the detwinned, single-variant domain, a new twin variant can form, gradually replacing the existing variant via the twinning process.

Acta Materialia

Then Ni nanoparticles form gradually by the reduction of uniform clusters of Ni(OH 2 during the following 100 min.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical or natural processes, use "formed gradually" to emphasize the extended timeframe and slow, continuous development. For example, "The mountain range formed gradually over millions of years."

Common error

Avoid using "formed gradually" when describing events that happen quickly or spontaneously. Instead, opt for phrases like "developed rapidly" or "emerged suddenly" to better convey the sense of immediacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formed gradually" functions as a verbal phrase and adverbial modifier, describing how something came into existence over a period. It indicates a slow, continuous process, as seen in Ludwig examples regarding geological formations and relationship developments. Ludwig AI considers this phrase acceptable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Academia

12.5%

Less common in

Wiki

8.33%

Encyclopedias

4.17%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "formed gradually" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe processes unfolding slowly over time. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and applicable across various domains, particularly in scientific, academic, and news-related contexts. It conveys a sense of continuous development rather than sudden occurrence. While there are several alternatives, such as "developed slowly" or "evolved over time", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Be mindful not to overuse it in situations requiring a sense of immediacy. With its neutral to formal register, "formed gradually" is a reliable choice for expressing gradual development in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

developed slowly

Focuses on the slow pace of the development.

built up slowly

Highlights the construction or building aspect.

evolved over time

Emphasizes the evolutionary aspect of the formation.

arose slowly

Emphasizes the slow beginning or emergence.

progressed incrementally

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

established over time

Focuses on the establishment or creation of something.

accrued bit by bit

Emphasizes the accumulation of small parts.

coalesced over a period

Focuses on the merging or uniting of elements.

materialized steadily

Suggests a stable and consistent appearance.

transformed incrementally

Highlights the changes in phases.

FAQs

What does "formed gradually" mean?

The phrase "formed gradually" describes a process or development that occurs slowly and steadily over a period of time, rather than happening suddenly or instantaneously.

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

You can use "formed gradually" to describe various phenomena. For example: "The sense of trust "developed slowly" between them", or "The collection of sediments "built up slowly" to form the island".

What are some alternatives to "formed gradually"?

Alternatives include phrases like "developed slowly", "evolved over time", or "progressed incrementally", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "gradually formed" instead of "formed gradually"?

While "gradually formed" isn't incorrect, "formed gradually" is more common and natural-sounding in English. The latter emphasizes the process of forming, while the former emphasizes the gradual aspect.