grow increasingly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grow increasingly" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use the phrase to describe something that is gradually increasing or getting larger and more intense. For example, "As the years passed, the amount of trash in the ocean grew increasingly worse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

(The other characters, though, grow increasingly floorbound).

The New York Times - Arts

Their parents grow increasingly anxious.

The New York Times

The journal entries grow increasingly fretful throughout the summer.

The New Yorker

But "his communications began to grow increasingly outlandish".

The New York Times

The characters to love grow increasingly abundant and diverse.

The New Yorker

The questions will grow increasingly belligerent and accusatory.

The New York Times

They grow increasingly confident of their creative abilities.

Harvard Business Review

And maybe the plot is meant to grow increasingly artificial.

The New York Times - Books

Through all this, Mr. Christopher seemed to grow increasingly impatient.

The New York Times

The escalated investigative activity has caused SAC investors to grow increasingly worried about the fund's future.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

We just see people responding to circumstances that grow increasingly tense and confusing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grow increasingly" to describe processes, feelings, or situations that are gradually intensifying. For example, "The pressure to meet deadlines grew increasingly stressful as the project neared completion."

Common error

Avoid using adverbs that are already implied within "grow increasingly". For example, "grow increasingly rapidly" is redundant because "increasingly" already suggests a rapid pace.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow increasingly" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a gradual increase or intensification. It modifies the verb "grow" by specifying the manner in which something is growing, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grow increasingly" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe a gradual increase or intensification. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. It's frequently found in news and media, academic writing, and encyclopedias, making it suitable for a variety of contexts. While there are numerous alternatives like "become progressively" or "escalate gradually", "grow increasingly" offers a concise and effective way to convey the idea of something evolving or intensifying over time. Be mindful of avoiding redundant adverbs when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become progressively

Replaces "grow" with "become" and "increasingly" with "progressively", slightly altering the emphasis on the process.

escalate gradually

Emphasizes the gradual increase in intensity or severity, using "escalate" to convey a sense of rising action.

increase steadily

Focuses on a consistent and unwavering rise, substituting "increasingly" with "steadily" to highlight the stability of the growth.

become ever more

Uses "ever more" to amplify the increasing nature, providing a slightly more emphatic tone.

develop progressively

Highlights the developmental aspect of the increase, suggesting a natural progression.

evolve gradually

Emphasizes the evolutionary nature of the increase, implying a slow and transformative process.

intensify steadily

Concentrates on the intensification of something, suggesting a gradual build-up of strength or force.

rise incrementally

Focuses on small, measurable increases, emphasizing the step-by-step nature of the growth.

heighten progressively

Highlights the progressive increase in height or intensity, suggesting an elevation or amplification of something.

amplify gradually

Emphasizes the gradual amplification or magnification of something, suggesting an increase in its impact or significance.

FAQs

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

Use "grow increasingly" to describe something that is gradually increasing or intensifying over time. For example, "As the deadline approached, the team's stress levels "grew increasingly" high".

What are some alternatives to "grow increasingly"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "become progressively", "escalate gradually", or "increase steadily" as alternatives to "grow increasingly".

Is it correct to say "grow more and more" instead of "grow increasingly"?

While "grow more and more" is grammatically correct, "grow increasingly" is often more concise and can sound more formal or sophisticated, depending on the context. For example, "grow increasingly complex".

What's the difference between "grow increasingly" and "become increasingly"?

"Grow increasingly" implies a natural development or evolution, while "become increasingly" suggests a shift or change in state. Consider: "The plants "grew increasingly" taller" (natural development) versus "The situation "became increasingly" tense" (change in state).