grew gradually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grew gradually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process of development or change that occurs slowly over time. Example: "The company's profits grew gradually over the years, reflecting its steady expansion in the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Traffic grew gradually for CNN.com.

The New York Times

How could I resist?" Mr. Zorn said his feelings for Ms. Buchsbaum grew gradually.

The New York Times

His popularity grew gradually, then explosively, with support of fans like Garrison Keillor.

The New York Times

The tremors grew gradually stronger, and the hanging lamps shook heavily.

The New Yorker

That network's ratings grew gradually as the night went on, peaking after 11 p.m.

The New York Times - Arts

The fire grew gradually before it was brought under control at 3 52 p.m., the authorities said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

I want my career to grow gradually.

The New York Times

Seniors Network has been growing gradually over the past two years.

The Guardian - Tech

I think you have to be on board with growing gradually to make it happen.

The New York Times - Arts

It's an impression that has been growing gradually for a bit now.

The Guardian - Sport

As I mosey south, the hills grow gradually more angular and majestic.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grew gradually" to describe processes where change happens incrementally over time, like the growth of a business, the development of a skill, or the increase in popularity of a trend.

Common error

Avoid using additional adverbs that reiterate the gradual nature of the growth, such as "grew very gradually" or "grew slowly gradually". Choose one adverb or rephrase for conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grew gradually" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which something grew or developed. As shown by Ludwig, it adds detail by specifying that the growth was not sudden or immediate, but occurred incrementally.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

36%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grew gradually" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to describe a slow, progressive increase or development over time. Ludwig's AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While a neutral phrase, it's important to avoid redundancy by refraining from using it with another adverb that describes the same aspect of the action. Semantically, it is close to phrases like "increased steadily" or "developed slowly", the choice depending on the desired focus and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increased steadily

Focuses on the consistent and unwavering nature of the increase.

developed slowly

Emphasizes the developmental aspect of the process, highlighting a gradual unfolding.

expanded progressively

Highlights the expanding nature of the growth, suggesting an outward progression.

evolved incrementally

Stresses the step-by-step, small changes accumulating over time.

progressed steadily

Similar to "increased steadily" but emphasizes forward movement and advancement.

built up slowly

Implies a construction or accumulation process occurring over time.

advanced gradually

Suggests a forward movement or promotion taking place in stages.

accumulated slowly

Focuses on the gathering or amassing of something over a period.

improved incrementally

Highlights the small steps of betterment that make way for improvement.

unfolded steadily

Focuses on the revealing nature of the process, highlighting a gradual process.

FAQs

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

The phrase "grew gradually" is used to describe a process that increases or develops slowly over time. For example, "The company's profits "grew gradually" over the years due to consistent innovation".

What are some alternatives to "grew gradually"?

You can use alternatives such as "increased steadily", "developed slowly", or "expanded progressively" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "grew gradually over time"?

While not grammatically incorrect, "grew gradually over time" can be slightly redundant. The word "gradually" already implies a process occurring over a period, so simply saying "grew gradually" is often sufficient.

What's the difference between "grew gradually" and "grew rapidly"?

"Grew gradually" indicates a slow, incremental increase, whereas "grew rapidly" suggests a fast, substantial increase in a short amount of time. The choice depends on the actual pace of growth you wish to describe.