grow gradually

USAGE SUMMARY

"grow gradually" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to develop or increase slowly over time. You can use it in any sentence where you want to describe something that is happening in a slow and gradual manner. For example: - The flowers in the garden grew gradually throughout the spring season. - With consistent practice, her confidence began to grow gradually. - The company's profits have been growing gradually over the past few years. - His understanding of the subject grew gradually as he studied it more and more. - The city's population had been growing gradually until it reached its peak in the 2000s.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I want my career to grow gradually.

The New York Times

Under external stresses, the defect may grow gradually to cause slow degradation of the adhesive bond.

Long Term Durability of Structural Materials Durability 2000 Proceedings of the Durability Workshop, Berkeley, California, 26–27 October, 2000

These water pipe networks will grow gradually and contribute to the transformation of the roofscape.

Columbia University

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

The Guardian - Travel

The aggregation and hence the capacitance grow gradually with the time of voltage application.

Electrochimica Acta

USA Football would like to see the program grow gradually, maybe doubling it in the next few years.

The New York Times - Sports

At many companies, they said, workers do not openly discuss their salaries, and pay disparities grow gradually over many years.

The New York Times

The report is consistent with analysts' forecasts that the economy will grow gradually through the rest of this year.

The New York Times

Foreign education providers that plan to grow gradually are more likely to succeed in this market, he noted.

The New York Times

He said he expected that worldwide tourism would grow gradually as countries recovered from the financial crisis.

The New York Times

As a station, we have been able to grow gradually, but also the technology has gone our way.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grow gradually", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the intended pace and manner of development. This phrase is most effective when emphasizing a slow and steady progression rather than a sudden or rapid change.

Common error

Avoid using "grow gradually" when describing processes that are inherently rapid or sudden. The phrase implies a slow, continuous progression, so ensure it matches the actual rate of change you're describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow gradually" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "grow" is the main verb and "gradually" is an adverb modifying it. It describes the manner in which something develops or increases over time. Ludwig provides numerous examples that showcase its usage across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grow gradually" is a versatile and commonly used expression that signifies a slow, steady, and continuous development or increase over time. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science domains. Its purpose is to convey a measured and unhurried progression, emphasizing that change occurs incrementally rather than abruptly. When incorporating this phrase into your writing, ensure it aligns with the intended pace of development and avoid using it when describing inherently rapid processes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop incrementally

Focuses on the step-by-step nature of the development process.

progress gradually

Focuses on the forward movement and development over time.

increase steadily

Highlights the continuous and stable nature of the growth.

expand slowly

Emphasizes the gradual widening or enlargement.

advance incrementally

Highlights small, measured steps of progress.

build up gradually

Emphasizes the accumulation of something over time.

evolve slowly

Implies a natural and unhurried transformation.

rise steadily

Suggests a continuous and stable upward movement.

mature steadily

Focuses on the continuous and stable nature of becoming fully developed.

unfold slowly

Implies a gradual revelation or development.

FAQs

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

You can use "grow gradually" to describe something that increases or develops slowly over time. For example, "The company's profits "grow gradually" each quarter" or "His understanding of the subject "grew gradually" as he studied it more."

What are some alternatives to "grow gradually"?

Some alternatives to "grow gradually" include "develop incrementally", "increase steadily", or "expand slowly". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is more appropriate, "grow gradually" or "grow rapidly"?

The choice between "grow gradually" and "grow rapidly" depends entirely on the context. "Grow gradually" implies a slow and steady increase, while "grow rapidly" suggests a fast and significant increase. Select the phrase that accurately reflects the actual rate of growth.

What is the difference between "grow gradually" and "mature steadily"?

"Grow gradually" generally refers to an increase in size or amount, while "mature steadily" implies a development towards completeness or perfection. Although related, "mature steadily" often refers to processes that are reaching completion and focuses on qualitative changes rather than just quantitative increases.