gradually increasing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'gradually increasing' is correct and is often used in written English.
For example, "The number of people suffering from anxiety has gradually increased over the past few decades."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The N.B.A. has been gradually increasing its use of replay.

The New York Times - Sports

Repeat, gradually increasing the volume and duration of each demolition.

The Guardian - Film

Since then, those companies have been gradually increasing their projections.

The New York Times

For months, both tension and noise had been gradually increasing.

The Economist

InBev would enter the Anheuser picture with gradually increasing pressure.

The New York Times

Like Lemieux, Jordan meticulously engineered his return by gradually increasing his workouts and competition level.

The New York Times - Sports

Late last year, Baghdad halted exports for several weeks before gradually increasing them again.

The New York Times

The safety precautions come as the number of domestic visitors has been gradually increasing.

The New York Times - Travel

But he said he would be interested in "gradually" increasing his stake.

The Guardian - Sport

The number of people who think the economy is improving is gradually increasing.

The New Yorker

He practiced for the first time Wednesday and is gradually increasing his workload.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "gradually increasing" to describe a controlled process or a natural progression.

Common error

Avoid using "gradually increasing" to describe situations where the increase is abrupt or immediate. Instead, opt for terms like "suddenly increased" or "rapidly grew."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gradually increasing" functions as a verb phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a slow and steady rise or growth. Ludwig AI shows its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Huffington Post

9%

Forbes

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gradually increasing" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to depict a slow, consistent rise. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It finds frequent use in scientific, news, and general contexts. When using this phrase, remember to avoid redundancy and ensure it accurately reflects the nature of the increase you're describing. Consider synonyms like "progressively increasing" or "steadily growing" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progressively increasing

Emphasizes a steady, step-by-step rise; nearly interchangeable but highlights the continuous nature of the increase.

gradually building

Similar to gradually increasing, but emphasizing a construction or development process.

steadily growing

Highlights the consistent and reliable nature of the increase, often implying a positive development.

incrementally rising

Focuses on the small, individual steps of the increase, useful when emphasizing the subtlety of the change.

slowly escalating

Implies a rise in intensity or seriousness, potentially suggesting a negative or concerning development.

continually expanding

Suggests an increase in scope or size, focusing on the broadening of something over time.

systematically building up

Emphasizes a deliberate and organized approach to increasing something, often suggesting a plan or strategy.

gently intensifying

Indicates a mild or subtle increase, suitable for situations where the change is not dramatic.

consistently accumulating

Highlights the steady and reliable addition of something over time, emphasizing the gathering of more.

imperceptibly advancing

Suggests a very subtle or gradual increase, almost to the point of being unnoticeable.

FAQs

What does "gradually increasing" mean?

The phrase "gradually increasing" describes a process where something is increasing slowly and steadily over time, rather than suddenly or dramatically.

What can I say instead of "gradually increasing"?

You can use alternatives like "progressively increasing", "steadily growing", or "incrementally rising" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do I use "gradually increasing" in a sentence?

To use "gradually increasing" effectively, ensure it modifies a noun that represents something measurable and capable of rising over time. For example: "The temperature was gradually increasing throughout the morning."

Is it redundant to say "gradually increasing slowly"?

Yes, saying "gradually increasing slowly" is redundant because "gradually" already implies a slow pace. Just use "gradually increasing".