gradually increase over time

USAGE SUMMARY

'gradually increase over time' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an increase in something that happens at a slow, steady rate. For example, "We've seen our profits gradually increase over time, as our market share has expanded."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The level of Form 3 in this standard was observed to gradually increase over time, the effect not being immediately apparent due to method variability.

Analytica Chimica Acta

(d) Heat map of individual CpGs after 1 hour (h) BrdU pulse with varying lengths of chase time (displayed beneath each sample) which shows that methylation levels gradually increase over time.

Nature

Based on field data from over 30 years of observation of an area that has been subjected to geothermal developments, Ferguson and Woodbury (2006) showed that aquifer temperatures gradually increase over time and that temperature anomalies propagate in a manner similar to that presented here.

Geothermal Energy

Tax collections are expected to gradually increase over time, but predicting what that amount will be remains something of a guess.

Huffington Post

Depending on the nature of modification, the fraction of the modified enzyme would gradually increase over time.

Biochemical Society Transactions

Due to our keeping expenses low and slowly growing our site traffic and sales, the company's net worth will gradually increase over time.

Bplans

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Most countries in Western Europe now have nationally established HIV/AIDS case reporting systems (Italy reported national-level data for the first time in 2012 and Spain report aggregate regional-level data, for which coverage has been gradually increasing over time).

Current HIV/AIDS Reports

Moreover, Mtm1−/y diaphragm weight was gradually increased over time.

Nature

Attachment-related avoidance, however, started low but gradually increased over time.

Journal of Research in Personality

The attainment gap between children from deprived families and those from more affluent homes begins to open up before a child is two and gradually increases over time.

The Guardian

Infected hIL-3/GM-CSF KI mice displayed clinical symptoms already 4 h post infection as indicated by an elevated disease score of 3.5 ± 0.9, which gradually increased over time up to 6.1 ± 0.4 after 24 h.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gradually increase over time" to describe processes that show a slow and steady growth, making it clear that the change is not sudden or abrupt.

Common error

Don't use "gradually increase over time" when describing exponential or sudden spikes, as it implies a slow, continuous progression. Using it in the wrong context might mislead readers about the nature of the change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gradually increase over time" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a slow and steady growth or intensification of something. It modifies a verb, specifying the manner and duration of the increase, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

23%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gradually increase over time" is a versatile expression that describes a slow and steady growth or intensification. It's grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse fields, including science, news, and business. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples showcasing its use. When writing, remember that this phrase is best suited for describing trends that evolve slowly and continuously, not sudden spikes or exponential growth. Consider alternatives like "slowly escalate as time goes on" or "incrementally build up over time" to fine-tune your message. With its clear and straightforward meaning, "gradually increase over time" is a reliable choice for conveying gradual change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progressively grow over time

Replaces "gradually increase" with "progressively grow", emphasizing continuous advancement.

slowly escalate as time goes on

Substitutes "gradually increase" with "slowly escalate", suggesting a more intense or critical increase.

incrementally build up over time

Uses "incrementally build up" instead of "gradually increase", highlighting a step-by-step accumulation.

steadily intensify with time

Replaces "gradually increase" with "steadily intensify", stressing a consistent and growing strength.

develop gradually in due course

Emphasizes the natural unfolding of an increase over a period.

gain ground gradually as time elapses

Focuses on the idea of making progress or advancing slowly over time.

rise slowly over the period

Simpler substitution with "rise slowly", focusing on the upward trend.

evolve incrementally over time

Uses "evolve incrementally" to suggest a more complex and natural process of gradual increase.

accumulate slowly as time passes

Highlights the gathering or collection aspect of a gradual increase.

ramp up gradually as time unfolds

Uses "ramp up gradually" to describe a more structured and controlled increase over time.

FAQs

How can I use "gradually increase over time" in a sentence?

You can use "gradually increase over time" to describe a process that slowly grows or intensifies, such as "The company's profits "gradually increase over time" due to improved marketing strategies".

What are some alternatives to "gradually increase over time"?

Alternatives include "slowly escalate as time goes on", "incrementally build up over time", or "steadily intensify with time", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "increase over time"?

While "increase" inherently implies a change over time, adding "over time" emphasizes the temporal aspect and can clarify that the increase is not instantaneous. Adding "gradually" adds even more specificity.

Which is correct, "gradually increase over time" or "increase gradually over time"?

Both "gradually increase over time" and "increase gradually over time" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on stylistic preference and the desired emphasis. However, Ludwig's examples suggest "gradually increase over time" is more frequently used.