in incremental steps

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in incremental steps" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a process or timeline that will progress in a series of small, gradual, or measured steps. For example, "I will finish my project in incremental steps, starting by writing my outline and working my way up to the conclusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

"It proceeds in incremental steps".

The New York Times

Throughout American history, civil rights have been achieved in incremental steps.

The New York Times

The supreme court decision has shown that such radical leaps can be made in incremental steps.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Europe works in incremental steps, driven by crisis and the domestic politics of its nations.

The New York Times

In Dr. Azrin's token economy, people barter for rewards, or tokens, by modifying their behavior in incremental steps.

The New York Times - Health

But it also means building large systems in incremental steps from firm foundations, without tolerating the level of software error that is the norm in many commercial products.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

They see the public option and the buy-in as incremental steps toward a "Medicare for all" approach that ultimately will displace private health insurance.

Huffington Post

As an input parameter the practical validation of cache performance trends, the applied load based on N Users is increased from 10too 250 in uniform incremental steps as shown in Figure 8.

Journal of Cloud Computing: Advances, Systems and Applications

The challenge of problem finding is that scientific discovery usually develops in slow, incremental steps, not leaps--and in clinical medicine, the process is especially slow.

Science Magazine

In this approach, the parameter estimation is performed in several (incremental) steps.

BMC Systems Biology

Was there a eureka moment or did progress come in small incremental steps?There were no eureka moments; progress came in small, incremental steps.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in incremental steps" to clearly communicate that a process or change will occur gradually, allowing for adjustments and feedback along the way.

Common error

While "in incremental steps" is appropriate for many contexts, avoid using it excessively, especially when simpler alternatives like "gradually" or "step-by-step" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in incremental steps" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how an action is performed. Ludwig confirms this usage, demonstrating its role in specifying the manner of progression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science & Research

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in incremental steps" is a common and correct way to describe a gradual process, as validated by Ludwig. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. While alternatives like "gradually" or ""step by step"" exist, "in incremental steps" emphasizes the small, measured nature of the advancements. Remember to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse to maintain the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

step by step

This alternative emphasizes the sequential nature of the progression.

little by little

This alternative highlights the small size of each advancement.

gradually

This alternative is more concise, using a single adverb to express the idea of gradual progression.

in stages

This alternative focuses on the division of the process into distinct phases.

in successive stages

Similar to "in stages", but emphasizes the chronological order.

in a phased manner

This alternative uses more formal language and emphasizes the planned nature of the progression.

in a progressive fashion

This alternative focuses on continuous advancement.

by degrees

This alternative is a more literary expression indicating gradual change.

in small doses

Emphasizes that the steps are small and carefully measured.

piecemeal

This alternative suggests that progress is made by adding small pieces over time.

FAQs

How can I use "in incremental steps" in a sentence?

You can use "in incremental steps" to describe a process that unfolds gradually. For instance, "The company plans to roll out the new software "in incremental steps" to minimize disruption."

What are some alternatives to "in incremental steps"?

Alternatives include "gradually", "step by step", or "in stages". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to proceed all at once or "in incremental steps"?

Whether to proceed all at once or "in incremental steps" depends on the context. A phased approach allows for flexibility and adjustments, while a complete overhaul might be necessary for immediate impact.

What is the difference between "in incremental steps" and "in leaps and bounds"?

"In incremental steps" suggests slow, steady progress, whereas "in leaps and bounds" implies rapid and significant advancements.