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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
gradually increased over time
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "gradually increased over time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process or change that happens slowly and steadily over a period. Example: "The temperature gradually increased over time, leading to a warmer climate in the region."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Alternative expressions(19)
gradually worsen over time
decline steadily
gradually increase over time
decrease gradually
peter out
waste away
wither down
diminish slowly
fade away
lose ground incrementally
slowly escalate as time goes on
incrementally build up over time
steadily intensify with time
gradually rise over time
enter a downward slope
experience a downturn
descend into decline
gradually increases over time
gradually increases
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
33 human-written examples
Attachment-related avoidance, however, started low but gradually increased over time.
After this velocity reduction, the dv/v gradually increased over time.
Science
Due to transitioning to advanced materials and manufacturing, both water and electricity use per GDP in industry & construction decreased during 2001-2009 and their utilization efficiencies gradually increased over time.
In other reactions, selectivity gradually increased over time to a plateau, suggesting that initial rates of halotryptophan synthesis and export were slower than that of conversion back to haloindole.
Science
The power dissipated in the electrode is P = IV, so with a constant current and a gradually increasing voltage, the surface temperature gradually increased over time as well until electrode failure.
Science
Fossil evidence from the continents generally implies that the human body and brain size gradually increased over time, but that evolutionary pattern may not have been the best strategy for hominins that wound up on islands. .
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
27 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).
Science
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.
Science
It shows the composition of different components on the surfaces of the clots; the curves indicate that, for wild-type clots, the number of fibrin/fibrinogen gradually increases over time.
This can be explained if the T-DNA is integrated in the Tuber genome, so that following duplication of a transformed nucleus the amount of produced/accumulated GFP gradually increases over time.
Science
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.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When describing trends or changes, use "gradually increased over time" to clearly indicate a slow and steady progression, ensuring the reader understands the pace of the change.
Common error
While "gradually increased over time" is correct, avoid redundancy by ensuring other words in the sentence don't also imply gradual change. For instance, avoid saying "very gradually increased over time" as it can sound repetitive.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "gradually increased over time" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the manner and duration of the increase. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in describing trends and changes across various contexts.
Frequent in
Science
73%
News & Media
15%
Formal & Business
12%
Less common in
Wiki
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "gradually increased over time" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a slow, steady increase over a period. Ludwig's analysis confirms its frequent use across scientific, news, and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended meaning and avoid redundancy. Remember, while the phrase is correct, stylistic choices and context are important for clear and effective communication. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is well-regarded and suitable for various writing scenarios.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
progressively grew over time
Emphasizes the continuous development or expansion over a period.
steadily rose over time
Highlights the consistent upward direction of the increase.
incrementally built up over time
Suggests a gradual accumulation or construction over a period.
slowly escalated over time
Implies a gradual increase in intensity or seriousness over a duration.
continuously augmented over time
Focuses on the ongoing addition and growth over a period.
systematically expanded over time
Highlights the methodical and planned nature of the increase.
bit by bit accrued over time
Emphasizes the small, incremental additions that accumulate over a period.
grew in stages over time
Suggests that increase happened in multiple steps during the period.
expanded gradually with the passage of time
Adds a sense of the time passing as the reason for the increase.
ramped up slowly over time
Emphasizes a gradual increase in activity or production over a duration.
FAQs
How can I use "gradually increased over time" in a sentence?
You can use "gradually increased over time" to describe a process or change that occurs slowly and steadily over a period. For example, "The demand for renewable energy "gradually increased over time" as awareness of climate change grew".
What are some alternatives to "gradually increased over time"?
Some alternatives include "progressively grew over time", "steadily rose over time", or "incrementally built up over time", depending on the nuance you want to convey.
Is it better to say "increased gradually over time" or "gradually increased over time"?
Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference or sentence flow. However, "gradually increased over time" is slightly more common.
What is the difference between "gradually increased over time" and "rapidly increased over time"?
"Gradually increased over time" implies a slow, steady increase, while "rapidly increased over time" suggests a fast, accelerated increase. The key difference is the speed at which the change occurs.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested