progress gradually

USAGE SUMMARY

"progress gradually" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a slow, but steady increase in improvement over time. For example, "The company has been making progress gradually, improving their profits by 10% each quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Sex would progress gradually from kissing to petting and beyond.

The New York Times

In the play three stories are interwoven and progress gradually from the ordinary to the fantastical.

The New York Times

Such latent damages progress gradually within the laminate and lead to sudden catastrophic collapse under service condition.

Procedia Engineering

The Moyamba treatment centre is little more than a patch of cleared ground at the moment and will not open until 15 December and, for safety, will only take 10 patients at first and progress gradually to 100.

The Guardian

The parody mass found many advocates, since it was possible by this means to base a long work on all voice parts of a shorter one, such as a motet or a hymn, and by beginning with familiar and recognizable material, to progress gradually into inventive independence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is thus better to progress gradually from confuse to distinct knowledge.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

There is no cure, but the disease generally progresses gradually and does not affect life expectancy.

The New York Times - Sports

Proteoglycan loss and articular cartilage degeneration were detected at 2 weeks after ACLT and progressed gradually (Fig. 1a c).

Nature

And Kiera, as Season 1 progresses, gradually confronts the possibility that she is fighting for the wrong side.

The New York Times - Arts

This was a formal reunion, expressing in a few hours a process that has progressed gradually over the past few years.

The New York Times - Arts

Even so, morphological evolution would not always keep progressing gradually, because some forms, at least, remain unchanged for extremely long times.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "progress gradually" when you want to emphasize a slow, steady, and consistent rate of development or improvement. This suggests a measured approach without sudden leaps.

Common error

Avoid using "progress gradually" when describing situations that require rapid advancement or immediate results. The phrase implies a deliberate pace, which might be inappropriate in urgent contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "progress gradually" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action unfolds. As confirmed by Ludwig, it signifies a slow, consistent development or advancement. It adds detail about how the progress occurs.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

29%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "progress gradually" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that emphasizes a slow, steady pace of advancement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for diverse contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related writing. While alternative phrases like "advance incrementally" or "develop slowly" exist, "progress gradually" serves to underscore the consistent and measured nature of the progress. Remember to use this phrase when you want to highlight a process that unfolds without sudden or dramatic changes. Be mindful to consider the pace of the subject you are describing and remember that "progress gradually" may be less suitable for urgent contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advance incrementally

Emphasizes the step-by-step nature of the advancement.

evolve steadily

Highlights the continuous and stable nature of the evolution.

build up gradually

Highlights the construction and accumulation aspect of the progress.

develop slowly

Focuses on the unhurried pace of the development.

mature over time

Stresses the gradual process of reaching full development.

move forward steadily

Emphasizes consistent and unwavering movement towards a goal.

unfold deliberately

Implies a careful and intentional unfolding process.

grow in stages

Focuses on the phased or staged aspect of the growth.

improve bit by bit

Highlights the small and incremental improvements.

unravel slowly

Emphasizes the gradual and unhurried nature of revealing or understanding something.

FAQs

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

You can use "progress gradually" to describe a process, skill, or project that improves slowly and steadily over time. For example, "The student's understanding of the subject matter "progressed gradually" throughout the semester".

What are some alternatives to "progress gradually"?

Alternatives to "progress gradually" include "advance incrementally", "develop slowly", or "evolve steadily". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "progress gradually"?

While "progress" inherently implies movement forward, adding "gradually" emphasizes the pace of that progress. It highlights that the change is slow and steady, which isn't always implied by "progress" alone.

Which is more appropriate, "progress gradually" or "improve gradually"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "progress gradually" is often used for broader processes or situations, while "improve gradually" is used more specifically for enhancements in quality or performance. For example, you might say a disease "progresses gradually", but a skill "improves gradually".