occurs over time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "occurs over time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process or event that takes place gradually or continuously throughout a period. Example: "The changes in climate occur over time, affecting ecosystems and weather patterns."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Note the split that occurs over time.

The Washington Post

Remember CPD (especially that online) occurs over time – don't expect it all to be perfect overnight.

The Guardian

The market participants learn more about the true value of the product as experimentation occurs over time.

Yale University

Seal coat deterioration occurs over time because of the effect of various factors such as weather, traffic, etc.

Construction and Building Materials

Transition to age-appropriate care and transfer of care is a process that best occurs over time.

Clinics in Chest Medicine

Energy decay occurs over time, to a lower lasing level, thus giving out laser light at frequency 9,300 nm, 9,600 nm or 10,600 nm respectively.

Nature

It has been described that a phenotypic switch in the macrophage population occurs over time in some cases and is associated with immune mediated pathology11.

Nature

Struggling to see the impact we are having on others is typical, as the influence is subtle and occurs over time.

Harvard Business Review

This pattern differs from tree-size seed plants, whose primary growth is mainly upward and girth expansion occurs over time by the accumulation of secondary xylem.

University of California, Berkeley

However, gradual loss of viability may be due to damage that occurs over time in the desiccated state, perhaps due to free radicals.

Cryobiology

The third experiment (N = 603) investigates the temporal stability of framing effects after cognitive deliberation and finds that no change in policy support occurs over time.

Ecological Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "occurs over time" to highlight the temporal aspect of a process or change, emphasizing that it is not instantaneous. For example, "skill development often occurs over time with consistent practice."

Common error

Be careful not to use "occurs over time" when the temporal aspect is already clear from the context. For instance, instead of saying "aging occurs over time", simply say "aging occurs" since aging is inherently a temporal process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "occurs over time" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the temporal dimension of an event or process. It specifies that something does not happen instantaneously, but rather unfolds or develops across a duration. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in describing gradual changes and developments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "occurs over time" is a versatile verbal phrase used to emphasize the temporal aspect of an event or process. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in science and news media. It serves to highlight that a given phenomenon unfolds gradually, rather than instantaneously. When writing, it's important to avoid redundancy and ensure the phrase adds specific value by clarifying the duration of the event. Understanding its nuances, as well as exploring semantically similar alternatives, such as "happens gradually" or "develops continuously", can help enhance precision and clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

happens gradually

Focuses on the pace of the event, emphasizing its slow development.

develops continuously

Highlights the ongoing and unbroken nature of the development.

unfolds progressively

Suggests a structured or staged revealing of events.

transpires slowly

Emphasizes the time taken for the event to come to completion or be known.

evolves steadily

Conveys a sense of continuous and gradual change or growth.

progresses incrementally

Highlights small, steady steps in the advancement of something.

materializes bit by bit

Focuses on how something becomes concrete over time through small additions.

manifests over a period

Indicates how something becomes apparent or visible during a certain timeframe.

emerges gradually

Highlights how something comes into existence or becomes known slowly.

takes place over a stretch

Indicates that an event happens throughout a prolonged period.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "occurs over time" to emphasize gradual change?

To highlight the gradual nature of a process, consider using phrases such as "happens gradually", "develops continuously", or "evolves steadily".

Is there a difference between "occurs over time" and "happens over time"?

While both phrases are similar, "occurs over time" often suggests a more natural or inevitable process, whereas "happens over time" can refer to any event that unfolds across a period. The choice depends on the context and the nuance you wish to convey.

When is it best to use "occurs over time" in scientific writing?

In scientific writing, "occurs over time" is useful for describing processes or changes that are observed or measured across a specific duration, particularly when detailing the progression or evolution of phenomena. For example, "the degradation of materials occurs over time due to exposure to UV radiation."

What are some common contexts where I might use "occurs over time"?

"Occurs over time" is frequently used in discussions of learning, aging, environmental changes, and disease progression. Any situation where a phenomenon is not instantaneous but unfolds across a period is a suitable context.