gain over time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gain over time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an increase or improvement that occurs gradually as time passes. Example: "With consistent practice, you will notice a significant gain over time in your skills and confidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

However, longitudinal studies have found that increased patronage of fast food outlets was associated with excess weight gain over time in young adults.

British Medical Journal

"This study highlights an easy way to monitor your weight gain over time.

Independent

Demand has been falling because the treatment may carry an increased risk of weight gain over time.

The New York Times

There is still room for older people because there is no substitute for the knowledge that you gain over time.

Independent

And women who do end up gaining weight, experts say, may simply be misperceiving normal weight gain over time as an unwanted side effect of contraceptives.

The New York Times - Health

Whatever one might say about Zionism and Israel's violent birth in 1948, its task then was to gain over time acceptance and a tolerable peace with its Arab neighbors.

The New York Times

Robert F. Stambaugh, a finance professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a co-author of the report, said most investment research only accounted for the risk of short-term market swings around the stock market's average gain over time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The negative perception of holiday foods as "bad" spikes cortisol (the stress hormone), which can lead to physical health effects ― including weight gain ― over time.

Huffington Post

Water sorption rates measure average weight gain over time (sorption isotherms) to accurately describe how much total water is present in a sample with respect to time while stored at selected humidity/temperature conditions [ 7].

Food Biophysics

We've known for some time that any temporary surge in post-training testosterone levels has little impact on the amount of muscle you gain over time.

Vice

Inhibition of MsSCP-2's function by SCPIs resulted in arrested growth and development in surviving larvae, indicated by lower weight gain over time and delayed pupation (data not shown).

BMC Physiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gain over time", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being gained and the specific timeframe involved. For example, "consistent exercise leads to a gain in strength over time".

Common error

Avoid using "gain over time" to describe immediate or short-lived improvements. This phrase implies a gradual and sustained increase, not a temporary boost. Use other sentence like "immediate increase".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gain over time" functions as a noun phrase acting as the object of a verb or preposition, describing a gradual increase or accumulation of something beneficial. Examples from Ludwig show it used in contexts like "weight gain over time" or "knowledge gain over time."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gain over time" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe gradual accumulation or improvement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. It is most commonly found in scientific and news media sources and is less frequent in encyclopedias or wikis. When using "gain over time", ensure that the context reflects a genuine gradual increase and avoid using it for short-term or immediate effects. Consider alternatives like "accrue gradually" or "develop incrementally" to fine-tune the nuance. This phrase is suitable for neutral to formal communication, making it versatile for professional and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accrue gradually

Emphasizes the slow and steady accumulation of something.

accumulate progressively

Highlights the increasing amount of something as time passes.

develop incrementally

Focuses on the gradual development or improvement.

improve steadily

Emphasizes consistent and ongoing improvement.

evolve gradually

Suggests a slow, natural process of change and development.

build up slowly

Indicates a gradual accumulation or increase.

mature incrementally

Focuses on the gradual process of becoming more developed or advanced.

progress steadily

Highlights continuous and consistent forward movement.

increase with time

A straightforward way to express a gradual increase.

advance gradually

Suggests a slow and steady progression or improvement.

FAQs

How can I use "gain over time" in a sentence?

You can use "gain over time" to describe a gradual improvement or accumulation, such as "With consistent practice, you will see a noticeable gain over time in your skills" or "Investing in education leads to a significant gain over time in career opportunities".

What are some alternatives to "gain over time"?

Alternatives to "gain over time" include "accrue gradually", "accumulate progressively", or "develop incrementally", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "gain over time" or "increase over time"?

"Gain over time" and "increase over time" are often interchangeable, but "gain" implies a benefit or advantage, whereas "increase" is a more neutral term. The best choice depends on the specific context and the intended meaning. For example, instead of improve use "significant increase" or other terms to convey a better nuance.

Can "gain over time" be used in both positive and negative contexts?

While "gain" generally has positive connotations, "gain over time" can sometimes be used in negative contexts, such as describing weight gain or the accumulation of debt. However, it's more commonly used to describe positive developments.