getting progressively slower

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "getting progressively slower" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or process that is gradually decreasing in speed over time. Example: "As the race continued, the runners were getting progressively slower due to fatigue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Ortiz's victory laps, already the slowest in the league, were getting progressively slower, finally crossing the half-minute mark: a Roger Bannister milestone in reverse.

The New Yorker

West Indies pitches, once known for their speed and bounce, have been getting progressively slower and lower in recent years, which help patient batsmen, but don't necessarily make for enthralling cricket.

Forbes

Despite these gains, traffic speeds have also been getting progressively slower over the past decade, particularly in central London.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

And as you go outward the orbit speeds get progressively slower.

The Guardian

Apple, and the record industry, cannot afford to axe the download market just yet -so streaming and downloading will have to coexist under the Apple brand, one gleaming of the future as the other gets progressively slower and sicker.

The Guardian - Music

In a broken heart, if a run of 200 beats gets progressively slower, the next 200 are just as likely to get slower as they are to get faster.

Huffington Post

A main effect of Session was close to significance, (F1,57 = 3.70, P = 0.06), such that response times decreased slightly between sessions one and two (0.62 vs. 0.61 s), together with a main effect of Group, (F2,57 = 2.45, P = 0.09), such that response times got progressively slower between sham (0.61 s), anodal (0.59 s) and cathodal (0.58 s) stimulation.

Brain Stimulation

The instrumental writing in the variations is as beautifully crafted as ever, built upon a rotating sequence of four chords and creating a fast-slow-fast scheme, with the movements getting progressively shorter.

The Guardian - Music

Brighton producer Lorca pairs the genre's ultra-tinny snares with roiling, milky synths; Last Japan reaches 2-step by slowing grime towards a dubby crawl, while Preditah is getting progressively less grimy, with his bubble-bath garage remix of Aaliyah a late summer smash.

The Guardian - Music

"This problem is getting progressively worse.

The Guardian

The Nets body-language has been getting progressively more downcast.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process that is gradually losing speed, use "getting progressively slower" to emphasize the continuous nature of the deceleration.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "getting progressively slower" can sound informal in academic or business writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "steadily decelerating" or "gradually diminishing in speed" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "getting progressively slower" functions as a descriptive expression, typically used to characterize the gradual reduction in speed of an object, process, or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "getting progressively slower" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a gradual decrease in speed. Though not overly common, it's found in various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as scientific writing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While it effectively conveys a sense of ongoing deceleration, remember that more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or professional settings. When employing this phrase, the key is to emphasize the continuous nature of the slowdown.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becoming increasingly slow

Rephrases the progressive aspect with "increasingly".

slowing down incrementally

Emphasizes the incremental nature of the slowdown.

gradually decelerating

Highlights deceleration as the main action, differing slightly in emphasis.

getting less and less fast

Informal and emphasizes the decreasing speed.

decreasing in speed

Focuses on the reduction of speed, lacking the progressive nuance.

diminishing in speed over time

Adds a temporal dimension, highlighting the change over time.

losing pace gradually

Uses "losing pace" to convey the reduction in speed.

steadily declining in velocity

More formal and technical, focusing on velocity.

progressively losing momentum

Shifts the focus to momentum rather than speed, implying a slowdown.

slowing at an increasing rate

Highlights that the slowdown is accelerating, a slightly different meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "getting progressively slower" in a sentence?

You can use "getting progressively slower" to describe a gradual decrease in speed, as in "As the day wore on, the service at the restaurant was "getting progressively slower"."

What are some alternatives to "getting progressively slower"?

Some alternatives include "gradually decelerating", "decreasing in speed", or "slowing down incrementally", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "getting progressively slower" grammatically correct?

Yes, "getting progressively slower" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules for expressing a gradual change.

What's the difference between "getting progressively slower" and "slowing down"?

"Slowing down" is a general term for reducing speed. "Getting progressively slower" implies a continuous and gradual decrease in speed over time, emphasizing the process rather than a single event of deceleration.