gradual progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gradual progress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slow and steady improvement or advancement in a particular area or task. Example: "The team has made gradual progress in developing the new software, ensuring that each feature is thoroughly tested before release."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And Patrick Burke is not imagining decades of gradual progress.

The Washington Post

Departments have been making gradual progress in reducing racial disparity in the force.

The Guardian

The country has been making gradual progress in other ways, though.

The New Yorker

Duterte's bluster overshadows, and undermines, the gradual progress of those fighting addiction in the trenches.

The New York Times

It is hard to argue against a story of gradual progress.

The Washington Post

The irony is his usual bluster overshadows, and undermines, the gradual progress of those in the trenches.

The New York Times

Follett uses the tools of popular fiction to great effect in these books, illuminating a nation's gradual progress toward modernity.

The Washington Post

While pharmaceutical and biotech firms are always in search of the next big thing, device-makers prefer gradual progress.

The Economist

The rebels have made gradual progress lately, but NATO worries that Libya is becoming a long, deadly, expensive stalemate.

The New York Times

Still, Mr. Hu also repeated that Beijing would move "under the principle of independent decision-making, controllability, and gradual progress".

The New York Times

"He's made gradual progress because when he first took over he didn't have any money to spend.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing achievements, use "gradual progress" to manage expectations and highlight sustained effort over time. This can be especially useful in fields where rapid results are uncommon.

Common error

Avoid using "gradual progress" when describing situations with immediate or transformative results. This phrase is more suitable for ongoing, long-term advancements, not overnight successes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gradual progress" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing the state or process of making slow and consistent advancements. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples of the phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gradual progress" is a commonly used and grammatically sound noun phrase that describes slow and steady advancement. According to Ludwig, it's particularly useful for managing expectations and highlighting long-term efforts. While versatile, it's best suited for situations where improvements occur incrementally rather than suddenly. Alternatives such as ""steady advancement"" or ""incremental improvement"" can be used for nuanced meanings. Ludwig's examples confirm that while the phrase spans diverse contexts, it appears most frequently in news, scientific and business communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

steady advancement

Emphasizes the consistent and unwavering nature of the progress.

incremental improvement

Highlights the small, measurable steps of positive change.

step-by-step development

Focuses on the methodical and sequential nature of the advancement.

slow but sure advancement

Highlights the unhurried yet dependable pace of the progress.

consistent development

Emphasizes the continuous and unbroken nature of the improvement.

measured progression

Implies a carefully planned and executed rate of improvement.

unhurried improvement

Highlights a relaxed and unpressured rate of positive change.

continuous evolution

Suggests an ongoing and natural process of development.

evolutionary growth

Focuses on the organic and unfolding nature of the advancement.

long-term development

Emphasizes the extended duration of the advancement.

FAQs

How can I use "gradual progress" in a sentence?

You can use "gradual progress" to describe slow and steady improvement over time, such as "The project showed "gradual progress" despite initial setbacks."

What can I say instead of "gradual progress"?

Alternatives to "gradual progress" include "steady advancement", "incremental improvement", or "step-by-step development", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to describe something as "gradual progress" or "rapid advancement"?

The choice depends on the actual pace of development. Use "gradual progress" for slow, sustained improvements and "rapid advancement" for quick, significant changes. Assess whether a process is better defined by "gradual progress" or "rapid advancement" depending on its speed.

What's the difference between "gradual progress" and "continuous improvement"?

"Gradual progress" highlights the slow and steady nature of the advancement, whereas "continuous improvement" emphasizes the ongoing and unbroken efforts to enhance something. Continuous efforts can yield periods of "gradual progress".