gradually expanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"gradually expanding" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a process that is happening in stages or increments over a long period of time. For example: "The company has been gradually expanding its customer base over the past five years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The parliament was gradually expanding its influence over the government.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Google is gradually expanding its suite of cloud-based offerings.

The Economist

Just say that what we're doing is gradually expanding Medicare".

The New York Times

The next six to seven years was very much about that, gradually expanding.

The Guardian

The company, based in Brentwood, Tenn., has been gradually expanding in Europe since late 1996.

The New York Times

With each successive flight, systems were tested and improved, gradually expanding the capabilities of the craft.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And we got stuck in, extending the opening hours, adding extras to the menu, and gradually expanding.

Independent

Edouard d'Archimbaud, Head of the BNP Paribas Data and AI Lab is gradually expanding his 25-member team.

Harvard Business Review

Public expectations of soil management are gradually expanding beyond traditional primary production requirements to include diverse ecosystem services.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

Her stand has traditionally served Mexican food, and she plans to keep burritos and tacos on the menu while gradually expanding into hamburgers, pizzas and wraps.

The Guardian

Writing for the Supreme Court, Justice Antonin Scalia said the Second Circuit was wrong to find the F.C.C.'s reasoning inadequate for gradually expanding its approach to enforcement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a deliberate and phased approach to growth, use "gradually expanding" to convey a sense of measured progress.

Common error

Avoid using "gradually expanding" when the growth is rapid or sudden; instead, opt for terms like "rapidly expanding" or "quickly growing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gradually expanding" functions as a verb phrase, typically used within a larger sentence to describe an ongoing process of growth or enlargement. Ludwig AI indicates it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gradually expanding" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something growing or increasing over time in a measured way. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. When writing, remember to use "gradually expanding" when the process is indeed slow and deliberate, and consider related terms like ""steadily increasing"" or ""progressively developing"" to add nuance to your descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasingly expanding

Emphasizes the growing rate of expansion.

continually expanding

Highlights the ongoing and continuous nature of the expansion.

steadily expanding

Focuses on the consistent and stable nature of the expansion process.

slowly expanding

Emphasizes the unhurried pace of the expansion.

progressively growing

Highlights the incremental and forward-moving nature of the expansion.

incrementally increasing

Focuses on the small, individual steps of the expansion.

systematically extending

Highlights the planned and organized nature of the expansion.

methodically developing

Emphasizes the careful and structured approach to the expansion.

carefully broadening

Focuses on the deliberate and cautious widening of scope.

moderately growing

Highlights the restrained and controlled nature of the expansion.

FAQs

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

Use "gradually expanding" to describe something that is growing or increasing slowly over time. For instance, "The company is "gradually expanding" its operations into new markets".

What are some alternatives to "gradually expanding"?

Alternatives include "slowly growing", "steadily increasing", or "progressively developing". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "gradually expanding" or "rapidly expanding"?

It depends on the actual rate of expansion. Use "gradually expanding" when the growth is slow and incremental, and "rapidly expanding" when the growth is fast and significant.

What's the difference between "gradually expanding" and "gradually broadening"?

"Gradually expanding" refers to an increase in size, scope, or quantity, while "gradually broadening" suggests a widening of range or perspective. Use "gradually expanding" for growth and "gradually broadening" for diversification.