growing slowly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "growing slowly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual increase or development in various contexts, such as business growth, personal progress, or natural phenomena. Example: "The company's profits have been growing slowly over the past year, indicating a steady but cautious expansion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're doing fine -- growing slowly.

The New York Times - Style

Everything seemed to growing slowly but surely.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"No, the economy isn't growing slowly.

The New Yorker

"The American economy is growing, growing slowly," Mr. Nadal said.

The New York Times

Germany's economy, which had been growing slowly, also shrank.

The New York Times

And sales have been growing slowly for years.

The New York Times

In developed countries, use per capita is high, but growing slowly.

The Economist

But it is growing slowly because of concern about drug safety and, of course, legality.

The New York Times

Deutsche's businesses are growing slowly, but its costs remain stubbornly high.

The Economist

If you're growing slowly, you can hold onto the culture longer, with more employees.

The New York Times

Beer drinking in most rich countries is growing slowly or is in decline.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the pace of development, consider if "growing slowly" accurately reflects the intended nuance. If a more deliberate or careful growth is meant, alternatives like "maturing deliberately" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "growing slowly" when the intent is to convey stagnation or lack of growth. While "growing slowly" implies some progress, it can be misconstrued as a complete absence of growth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "growing slowly" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a present participle phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun. As shown by Ludwig, it indicates the manner in which something is growing, emphasizing the gradual nature of the process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "growing slowly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes the gradual nature of development or expansion. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and versatility across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. While "growing slowly" is generally neutral in tone, careful consideration should be given to the specific context to ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning, differentiating it from stagnation or more deliberate forms of progress. Consider using alternatives like "increasing gradually" or "expanding at a slow pace" based on the nuances you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasing gradually

Focuses on the incremental nature of the increase.

expanding at a slow pace

Highlights the gradual expansion or broadening.

developing gradually

Emphasizes the step-by-step development or evolution.

progressing steadily

Indicates consistent but not necessarily rapid progress.

advancing incrementally

Stresses small, successive steps in advancement.

maturing deliberately

Highlights a careful and intentional process of maturation.

evolving leisurely

Focuses on a relaxed and unhurried evolution.

unfolding gradually

Emphasizes the slow revelation or unfolding of something.

incrementally growing

Highlights growth in small stages.

expanding sluggishly

Focuses on a slow and somewhat inefficient expansion.

FAQs

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

You can use "growing slowly" to describe gradual development. For example, "The plant is "growing slowly" due to lack of sunlight" or "The economy is "growing slowly" after the recession".

What are some alternatives to "growing slowly"?

Alternatives include "increasing gradually", "expanding at a slow pace", or "developing gradually". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "growing slowly"?

While grammatically correct, "growing slowly" might be misleading if the subject isn't actually growing at all. Ensure there is indeed some progress, however small, before using this phrase. If nothing is happening at all use "not growing".

What's the difference between "growing slowly" and "stagnating"?

"Growing slowly" implies a gradual increase or development, while "stagnating" suggests a lack of progress or growth. Stagnating is similar to "not growing".