gradually but surely

USAGE SUMMARY

"gradually but surely" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about an action that is making progress, although it might be slow. For example, "My understanding of complex math problems is improving gradually but surely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Blogging, that much-maligned pastime, is gradually but surely disappearing from the Internet, and so, consequently, is a lot of online freedom and fun.

The New Yorker

"By placing Mr. Selden's claims into arbitration, a consumer's constitutional right to a jury trial and access to the courts of law continues to be whittled down gradually but surely," Mr. Emejuru said in a statement.

The New York Times - Tech

He added, "By placing Mr. Selden's claims into arbitration, a consumer's constitutional right to a jury trial and access to the courts of law continues to be whittled down gradually but surely".

The New Yorker

Gradually, but surely, the company won accolades and praise from both clients and media.

Forbes

Benbrook's broadside aside, what's most interesting as the debate unfolds are signs that a scientific consensus is gradually but surely emerging that GM crops do not pose unmanageable environmental threats.

Forbes

Gradually, but surely, European teams gained the upper hand to brush off the competition and prove their dominance, and in this circumstance, Spanish La Liga, Royal Dutch Football Association, and German Bundesliga proved to be the best of the best! 6) "No racism" motto.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"It's happening gradually, but slowly and surely books are disappearing," Ms. Matar said.

The New York Times

Organizations that offer partial loan guarantees are helping mainstream financiers take on a new and broader customer base; by intentionally and gradually shifting those risk profile norms, these organizations are slowly but surely moving the needle.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Currently confined to German-speaking cities (but surely not for too much longer), 25hours is gradually emerging as one of central Europe's hippest hotel chains.

Independent

For slowly but surely, the issues that are discussed at MWC, are gradually resembling the solutions and startups showcased at 4YFN.

TechCrunch

Slowly but surely, so the reasoning goes, there is a trickle-down effect and fur becomes gradually more acceptable to a whole new generation of potential customers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gradually but surely" when you want to emphasize that progress is being made, even if it's not immediately apparent. It's best used to describe processes, personal growth, or long-term projects.

Common error

While "gradually but surely" is a useful phrase, avoid using it too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Try using synonyms like "slowly but certainly" or "steadily" to add variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gradually but surely" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb to describe how something is happening. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English, suggesting its effectiveness in expressing progressive actions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gradually but surely" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to describe consistent, albeit slow, progress. Ludwig confirms that it is a valid and usable expression. With a neutral register, it appears in diverse sources, including news media, scientific publications, and business communications, indicating its versatility. While other phrases like "slowly but certainly" can be used for variety, "gradually but surely" emphasizes the steadiness of the advancement. As with any phrase, mindful usage prevents overuse and maintains writing clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slowly but certainly

Emphasizes the certainty of the outcome, even if the progress is slow.

steadily but gradually

Reverses the order of adverbs, slightly altering the emphasis.

progressively but reliably

Highlights the reliability of the progress over time.

little by little

Highlights the small increments of progress.

bit by bit

Similar to 'little by little', stressing the small contributions.

inch by inch

Conveys a sense of very slow, painstaking progress.

step by step

Focuses on the methodical nature of the progress.

incrementally but assuredly

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey steady and certain advancement.

over time

Simply indicates that something happens as time passes, without emphasizing gradual steps.

in due course

Implies that something will happen at the appropriate time, often with a sense of inevitability.

FAQs

How can I use "gradually but surely" in a sentence?

The phrase "gradually but surely" is used to describe a process or progress that is happening slowly but with certainty. For example, "My understanding of the topic is improving "gradually but surely" as I continue to study."

What's the difference between "gradually but surely" and "slowly but surely"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "gradually but surely" may imply a more subtle or less noticeable pace of progress compared to "slowly but surely". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct, "gradual but surely" or "gradually but surely"?

"Gradually but surely" is the correct form. "Gradual" is an adjective, while "gradually" is an adverb, which is needed to modify the verb it describes.

What are some situations where "gradually but surely" is a suitable phrase to use?

This phrase is suitable for describing situations where progress is not immediate but is consistent and reliable over time. For instance, learning a new skill, recovering from an injury, or achieving a long-term goal can all be described as progressing "gradually but surely".