on a gradient

USAGE SUMMARY

"on a gradient" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a change in something over a period of time. For example: "The sales team has seen an increase in profits on a gradient since the new marketing strategy was implemented."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The proteins are distributed on a gradient leading away from the midline.

The New York Times

Armstrong started the final 13.5-kilometer (8.4-mile) climb, on a gradient of nearly 8percentt, almost nine minutes behind the Spaniard.

The New York Times - Sports

Running down the Siyarko Tangk Danda ridge that afternoon, the route was perfect underfoot – a soft, dusty yak track, descending on a gradient that was doing most of the work, allowing my legs to spin along below me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the Lower Rhone Valley, the train emerged from a circular tunnel onto a 160-foot viaduct, dropped 666 feet on a gradient of 80 degrees into Betten -- and ended up, quite suddenly in what seemed like spring.

The New York Times - Travel

As a medical student, I was part of a group undertaking studies for the Ministry of Defence with caffeine or placebo, marching for six hours into a wind machine on a gradient.

The Guardian - Sport

Tall and short exist on a gradient, and when we adjudge the Empire State Building taller than LeBron James and LeBron James taller than Meryl Streep, we are reflecting facts about the world we live in.

The New Yorker

For a rise of 900 feet to the Alleghenies watershed, 22 locks were installed at the head of an inclined plane and, descending on a gradient of 1 in 10 to 1 in 12, ran down to the pound below.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then an algorithm based on a gradient computation is given.

Advances in Difference Equations

I'd rather see benefits offered to everyone on a gradient, like a percentage of dollars earned or an hourly basis".

TechCrunch

The ASM is made up of cubic splines and is based on a gradient descent procedure.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Then, the pellet was dehydrated in ethanol on a gradient mode (10 100 %).

AMB Express

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on a gradient" to describe changes or distributions that occur smoothly and continuously, rather than in discrete steps. For example, "The company's success grew on a gradient after the new product launch".

Common error

Avoid using "on a gradient" when describing situations that involve sudden, abrupt shifts or clearly defined stages. The phrase suggests a smooth transition, so it's inappropriate for scenarios with distinct breaks or jumps.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a gradient" primarily functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to describe how something changes or is distributed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on a gradient" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase that describes gradual or continuous change. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly used, especially within scientific and news contexts. When using "on a gradient", ensure that the context involves smooth transitions rather than abrupt shifts. Alternative phrases include "along a continuum" and "progressively", which can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

along a continuum

Emphasizes a continuous sequence with no clear divisions, differing from "on a gradient" by highlighting the unbroken nature of the progression.

progressively

Adverb describing the manner of change, offering a more concise alternative to the prepositional phrase "on a gradient".

by degrees

Emphasizes small increments, similar to "on a gradient" but more focused on the size of the changes.

in a stepwise manner

Highlights the incremental nature of the change, implying distinct steps unlike the smoother implication of "on a gradient".

gradually increasing

Specifically focuses on an upward trend, whereas "on a gradient" can refer to any kind of gradual change.

in a sliding scale

Implies a relationship between two variables, where one changes in proportion to the other, differing from the general sense of "on a gradient".

in a phased approach

Implies planned stages of implementation, which isn't necessarily present in the meaning of "on a gradient".

in stages

Similar to phased approach but less formal. Stresses distinct steps unlike the more continuous nature of "on a gradient".

changing slowly

Focuses specifically on the slowness of the change, while "on a gradient" describes the manner of change more broadly.

evolving gradually

Suggests a more organic or natural development over time, adding a nuance not always present in "on a gradient".

FAQs

How can I use "on a gradient" in a sentence?

Use "on a gradient" to describe a situation where something changes or varies smoothly and continuously over time or space. For instance, "The temperature increased "on a gradient" throughout the day".

What are some alternatives to "on a gradient"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "along a continuum", "progressively", or "gradually increasing".

Is it correct to say "changes on a gradient" or "changes in stages"?

Both phrases are correct, but they describe different types of change. "Changes "on a gradient"" implies a smooth, continuous transition, while "changes in stages" suggests distinct, separate steps.

What's the difference between "on a gradient" and "in a sliding scale"?

"On a gradient" refers to a general continuous change or distribution. "In a sliding scale" usually implies a proportional relationship between two variables, where the adjustment of one results in a corresponding adjustment of the other.