growing shallower

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "growing shallower" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is becoming less deep or less intense over time, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "As the conversation progressed, the topics began growing shallower, moving away from meaningful discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Last year's swarm, beneath northern Yellowstone Lake, had a specific track of alignment, with the earthquakes moving north and growing shallower from the initial quake area, said Robert B. Smith, a professor of geophysics at the University of Utah and a science coordinator at the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Lake water also grew shallower, cloudier, and slightly saltier about 7850 years ago, according to the data.

Science Magazine

Her breathing grew shallow.

The New Yorker

And while pop simplicity can be a fine corrective to self-indulgence, it can also grow shallow.

The New York Times - Arts

Especially in coastal areas where sandy soils cause trees to grow shallow surface roots, the vines can topple trees.

The New York Times

Watering lightly and frequently encourages your lawn to grow shallow, weak root systems.

WikiHow

Plants that are watered a little bit each day will grow shallow roots, because they'll need them to reach the moisture.

WikiHow

After three hours of pleasant paddling, the river leaves the pilot channel and spreads out, growing warm, shallow, and brushy.

Huffington Post

Because the royal gene pool was not terribly deep (and would grow even shallower as time went on), more often than not, marriages between cousins were arranged.

The New Yorker

Whereas a traditional olive farm is a bucolic sight, with large, widely-spaced trees providing cover for grass and grazing animals, the trees in new plantations are tightly packed, scrubbier and usually grow on shallower soil.

The Economist

In the last two PDC finals the losers racked up triple-figure averages in front of baying crowds at Alexandra Palace but the talent pool at Lakeside grows ever shallower.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "growing shallower" to describe trends or changes where depth, either literal or metaphorical, is decreasing. For example, "The river is growing shallower due to the drought."

Common error

Avoid using "growing shallower" when describing emotional states or relationships becoming less significant. Instead, consider using phrases like "fading" or "weakening" to convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "growing shallower" functions as a verb phrase that typically describes a process of diminishing depth or intensity. According to Ludwig AI, it's a valid and usable expression in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "growing shallower" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a process of diminishing depth or intensity. While not exceptionally common, it's found in reputable sources such as The New York Times and Science Magazine. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and it functions effectively in neutral registers. When using this phrase, be mindful of the context and ensure it accurately conveys the intended reduction in depth or complexity. Common alternatives include "becoming less deep" or "becoming superficial" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becoming less deep

Focuses on the literal reduction in depth.

decreasing in depth

Emphasizes the process of depth reduction.

diminishing in depth

Highlights the gradual decrease in depth or intensity.

losing depth

Highlights the loss of a characteristic quality.

becoming superficial

Shifts the focus to a lack of substance or importance.

becoming less profound

Emphasizes the diminishing of intellectual or emotional depth.

losing intensity

Highlights a decrease in strength or force.

becoming less intense

Focuses on a reduction in the degree of strength.

becoming simplified

Focuses on a reduction in complexity.

becoming less complex

Emphasizes a reduction in the number of parts or elements.

FAQs

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

You can use "growing shallower" to describe a physical decrease in depth, like "The lake is "growing shallower" each year". It can also describe a decrease in complexity or intensity.

What can I say instead of "growing shallower"?

Alternatives include "becoming less deep", "losing depth", or "becoming superficial" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say 'the conversation grew shallower'?

Yes, it is correct. It implies that the conversation is moving away from meaningful discussions and towards more trivial topics. Alternatives could be 'the conversation "became less profound"' or 'the conversation "became superficial"'.

Which is correct: 'growing shallower' or 'becoming more shallow'?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Growing shallower" implies a gradual process, while "becoming more shallow" can suggest a more abrupt change. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.