gradually surfacing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gradually surfacing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is slowly becoming visible or apparent over time. Example: "As the investigation progressed, new evidence was gradually surfacing, shedding light on the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But, just like Labour's mansion tax plans, Hunt's modest proposal highlights another feature of contemporary British life which is gradually surfacing into public consciousness.

The Guardian

The title doesn't reveal anything, though, the dark volume in question only gradually surfacing from the muddy waters of a novel that's never as clear as it should be.

The Guardian - Books

Conflicts between the two formerly dominant factions have been gradually surfacing following the 2014 State Parliament election.

Asian Journal of German and European Studies

But the hostile rhetoric has toned down and a spirit of cooperation is gradually surfacing in the region.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Information gradually surfaced that the jury had not known about when it reached its verdict.

The New York Times

Still, the story of Kennedy's courage and deception has gradually surfaced over the last 39 years.

The New York Times

On "Hive Mind," the quintet makes the individual labor of instrumentation gorgeously plain; guitar and bass and percussion are not just parachuted in but coaxed out, made to gradually surface, as they wrap around the vocals of Syd, who is lissome but not in the least bit diminutive.

The New Yorker

That's often why in the wake of such an attack, those connections gradually surface, showing that few really were "lone wolves".

Huffington Post

Other 30 cases gradually surfaced in the same community from August 23, 2010 to September 14 , 2010

BMC Public Health

Niels Arestrup is all too plausible as the jail gang-boss, coolly ­proprietorial with prisoners and guards alike, ­sporting a mask of impassive disdain through which world-weariness and fear gradually surface.

The Guardian - Film

Gradually, complaints surfaced that Starbucks felt more like a fast-food restaurant than a coffeehouse.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gradually surfacing" when you want to emphasize a slow and steady emergence of information, feelings, or objects over time. This phrasing works well in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "gradually surfacing" in situations where a more direct term like 'appearing' or 'emerging' would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gradually surfacing" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a predicate to describe the manner in which something is becoming visible or known. It indicates a process occurring over time. Ludwig AI validates that.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gradually surfacing" is a verb phrase used to describe the slow and steady emergence of information, feelings, or objects. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its usage in news and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's important to avoid overusing this phrase and to consider more direct alternatives when appropriate. Its presence in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times underscores its acceptability in professional writing. Remember to emphasize the progressive nature of a revelation or discovery, and avoid overcomplicating your sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slowly emerging

This alternative focuses on the gradual emergence rather than surfacing.

steadily appearing

This alternative emphasizes the constant appearance over time.

progressively revealing

This alternative highlights the progressive unveiling of something.

coming to light gradually

This alternative uses a more common idiom with 'gradually' to add emphasis.

slowly becoming visible

This alternative focuses on the visual aspect of something becoming seen.

unfolding gradually

This implies a gradual revelation or unfolding of events or information.

incrementally surfacing

This alternative stresses the incremental nature of the surfacing.

gradually being revealed

This alternative places emphasis on the act of being revealed.

little by little, surfacing

This alternative phrase emphasizes the progressive, step-by-step nature of something becoming apparent.

bit by bit, coming to light

This alternative emphasizes a step-by-step revealing of a thing

FAQs

What does "gradually surfacing" mean?

The phrase "gradually surfacing" means something is slowly becoming visible or known over a period of time.

What are some alternatives to "gradually surfacing"?

You can use alternatives such as "slowly emerging", "steadily appearing", or "coming to light gradually" depending on the context.

Is "gradually surfacing" formal or informal?

"Gradually surfacing" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's often found in news and scientific writing. Choose a more direct phrase like "appearing" for very informal situations.

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

Example: "As the investigation progressed, new evidence was "gradually surfacing", shedding light on the case."