growing quietly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "growing quietly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual increase or development that occurs in a subtle or unobtrusive manner. Example: "The community has been growing quietly, with new families moving in and local businesses expanding without much fanfare."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Or maybe you didn't notice that while you were happily knocking back margaritas and tearing through cheap fiction poolside, your skin was growing quietly livid.

Independent

The corporate shuttle business has been growing quietly and rapidly in recent years, said officials of Avolar, which is currently looking for an outside investor to shoulder some of the financial exposure of its parent, United.

The New York Times

One Cecily Crocker became Cecily Eaves and had a gay son who wrote stories and poems; another went on existing in her imagination, and quite possibly didn't pass her 11-plus, or, when mocked by a pompous headmistress for her "awful Cockney accent", instead of growing quietly determined, left school at 15.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Daisy has been growing quietly for a while, and many details on the project are still hard to come by, but it has some big names involved with it.

TechCrunch

This editor only heard of Chewy for the first time last fall, when talking with one of its earlier investors, Larry Cheng of the Boston-based growth equity fund Volition Capital; Volition had written Chewy its $15 million Series A check in 2013, and the company had been growing quietly like a weed, he'd told me.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Her reputation has grown, quietly, since her death in 1979.

The Economist

Even the endless stream of poo and wee jokes grew quietly comforting after a while.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

JUST as Poland's economy and foreign-policy clout have grown quietly but significantly, so its banking system has become one of Europe's little-known star performers.

The Economist

But this narrow mandate to monitor elections in six Southern states grew quietly over the years, extending to unexpected corners of the country, including the Bronx.

The New York Times

The market for touch screens has grown quietly for years, both in commercial applications like restaurant point-of-sale systems, credit card signature readers or automated teller machines, and in consumer devices like global positioning systems and game platforms.

The New York Times - Tech

So in Renoir's 1951 film "The River" -- which is the story of summer in a British garden in India -- a child dies, a love affair fails and life grows quietly stronger.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "growing quietly" to emphasize that a process or entity is developing without attracting much attention or causing disruption. This is particularly useful when describing long-term trends or strategic initiatives.

Common error

Avoid using "growing quietly" when describing situations where rapid or highly visible expansion is expected. It can undermine the sense of urgency or dynamism if the context calls for a more assertive tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "growing quietly" functions primarily as a verb phrase modified by an adverb. The verb "growing" indicates a process of development or increase, while the adverb "quietly" specifies the manner in which the growing is occurring, suggesting it is happening subtly, without much attention or noise. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "growing quietly" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for describing gradual and subtle development. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, this phrase is best used to convey a sense of unobtrusive progress or expansion. When employing "growing quietly", consider its implications for conveying the intended tone, ensuring that it aligns with the desired emphasis on subtlety rather than rapid or overt change. Its antonym could be "growing rapidly" or "booming".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

developing gradually

Focuses on the pace of development, highlighting its slowness.

expanding subtly

Emphasizes the understated nature of the expansion.

increasing steadily

Highlights the consistent and reliable nature of the growth.

progressing unnoticed

Focuses on the lack of awareness surrounding the progress.

advancing discreetly

Emphasizes the secrecy or privacy of the advancement.

maturing steadily

Implies a natural and consistent development over time.

evolving gently

Suggests a smooth and unforced evolutionary process.

building incrementally

Highlights the step-by-step nature of the construction or development.

flourishing silently

Implies a thriving state achieved without outward display.

accumulating steadily

Focuses on the continuous collection or gathering of something.

FAQs

How can I use "growing quietly" in a sentence?

You can use "growing quietly" to describe a gradual increase or development that is not immediately noticeable. For example, "The company's market share has been "growing quietly" over the past year."

What are some alternatives to "growing quietly"?

Alternatives to "growing quietly" include "developing gradually", "expanding subtly", or "increasing steadily". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "growing quietly" formal or informal?

"Growing quietly" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more frequently found in news and business writing. Its appropriateness depends on the specific context and audience.

What does it mean when something is described as "growing quietly"?

When something is described as "growing quietly", it means that it is developing or increasing in a subtle and often unnoticed way. This can refer to various things, such as a business's customer base, a trend, or even an emotion.