is gradually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is gradually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process or change that is happening slowly over time. Example: "The temperature is gradually increasing as summer approaches."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

China's economy is gradually slowing.

The Economist

This is gradually improving margins.

Independent

The industry is gradually changing.

The Washington Post

This change is gradually happening.

The New York Times - Arts

Her team is gradually growing.

The New York Times

The global economy is gradually recovering.

The Economist

Ms Fernández is gradually changing tack.

The Economist

But Britain is gradually spending more.

The Economist

The backlog is gradually being worn down.

The Economist

China is, gradually, becoming a freer society.

The New York Times

But dealers say demand is gradually rising.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is gradually" when you want to emphasize that a change or process is happening slowly and steadily over time, rather than abruptly or suddenly.

Common error

Avoid using "is gradually" when the verb itself already implies a gradual process. For example, instead of saying "the ice is gradually melting", consider simply saying "the ice is melting", as melting inherently suggests a gradual change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is gradually" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase modifying a main verb. As seen in Ludwig, it indicates that an action or process is unfolding in a slow, progressive manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

19%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is gradually" is a versatile tool for expressing slow and steady change, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its grammatical function is that of an auxiliary verb phrase, and its communicative purpose is to emphasize the gradual nature of an action or development. While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, the term is most frequently found in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia". Remember to use "is gradually" mindfully to avoid redundancy and to ensure clarity in your writing. Alternative phrases, such as "is slowly progressing" or "is steadily advancing", can provide more specific nuances depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is slowly progressing

Replaces "gradually" with "slowly progressing", emphasizing the slow pace of the process.

is progressively developing

Uses "progressively developing" instead of "gradually", highlighting the continuous nature of the development.

is steadily advancing

Employs "steadily advancing" which suggests a consistent and unwavering forward movement.

is inching forward

Replaces "gradually" with the idiom "inching forward", indicating very slow progress.

is evolving bit by bit

Uses "evolving bit by bit" to convey gradual change through small increments.

is changing little by little

Expresses gradual change using the phrase "little by little", emphasizing incremental alterations.

is unfolding over time

Replaces "is gradually" highlighting the process of revelation or development across an extended duration.

is slowly but surely

Uses the adverbial phrase "slowly but surely" emphasizing a steady but unhurried change.

is advancing step by step

Uses "advancing step by step" to highlight the individual and sequential nature of progress.

is unfolding in stages

Replaces "gradually" with "in stages" highlighting the different steps of the process.

FAQs

How can I use "is gradually" in a sentence?

Use "is gradually" to describe a process or change that occurs slowly over a period, like "The economy "is gradually recovering"" or "The day "is gradually getting warmer"".

What are some alternatives to "is gradually"?

Alternatives include "is slowly", "is progressively", or "is steadily", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is gradually increasing"?

Yes, "is gradually increasing" is grammatically correct and means something is increasing slowly over time. However, be mindful of potential redundancy if "increasing" already implies a gradual process.

What's the difference between "is gradually" and "is suddenly"?

"Is gradually" indicates a slow, steady change, while "is suddenly" indicates an abrupt, immediate change. They are antonyms in the context of describing how a change occurs.