progressively fewer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "progressively fewer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where the quantity of something is decreasing gradually over time. Example: "As the project progressed, we noticed that there were progressively fewer participants attending the meetings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

But progressively fewer Catholic dioceses have an official exorcist.

The Guardian

The next day I only had to do 30, and progressively fewer in the following days.

The New York Times

They use progressively fewer colors, and most share one quality: they are composed of separate shapes and have a kinetic buzz that suggests movement.

The New York Times

With every game since the All-Star break, the Yankees have committed progressively fewer errors, and on Saturday they made just one.

The New York Times - Sports

Labour governments of the 1970s built progressively fewer council homes, not only because money was short, but because key figures doubted that renting from councils, often for life, was satisfying for tenants and that building programmes were economically sustainable.

The Guardian - Books

Each of the first 11 of these tiers above the base has progressively fewer floors than the one below and flares outward slightly at its top in the manner of a pagoda-style roof.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Since being shelled by Tampa Bay over five and two-thirds innings in his season debut, Vazquez has progressively pitched fewer innings.

The New York Times - Sports

My a posteriori deduction, based on years of running and speaking to runners, is that those who run most, run fastest; those who train consistently and progressively suffer fewest injuries; shoe brand/make/model makes negligible difference.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The approach that was chosen to select separation nodes progressively, a few at a time, has the advantage that it allows the user to steer the network splitting by accepting or rejecting proposed separation nodes and terminating the process at the desired level of granularity.

BMC Systems Biology

This is demonstrated by the IFA and IEM labeling of progressively larger but fewer food vacuoles in rings, and the strong MSP119 labeling of all vacuoles containing hemozoin in rings and later stages - these findings would be unexpected if there is a major, separate endocytic event responsible for forming the single food vacuole at the end of the ring stage.

Plosone

Pain intensity increases progressively for a few hours until it peaks and remains stable throughout the attack.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "progressively fewer" to clearly indicate a gradual reduction over time, emphasizing the process of diminution. For instance: "The company employed progressively fewer staff each year due to automation."

Common error

Avoid using "progressively fewer" when describing a sudden or abrupt decrease. This phrase implies a gradual change, so ensure the context accurately reflects a gradual reduction rather than an immediate drop.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "progressively fewer" functions as a determiner phrase indicating a gradual decrease in quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. Examples show it modifying nouns to describe a reduction over time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "progressively fewer" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes a gradual decrease over time. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's commonly found in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When writing, remember that the best practice is using the phrase is when you intend to accurately show a reduction over time. Alternatives like "decreasingly numerous" or "increasingly rare" offer similar meanings but might shift the emphasis slightly. Avoid using "progressively fewer" to describe sudden changes to ensure clarity and accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreasingly numerous

Focuses on the reduction in number rather than a process.

gradually less

Emphasizes the gradual nature of the reduction.

increasingly rare

Highlights the increasing scarcity of something.

steadily declining

Implies a consistent and continuous decrease.

continually diminishing

Stresses the ongoing and lessening nature of something.

ever-decreasing

Uses a more emphatic tone to express the reduction.

systematically reduced

Suggests a planned or methodical decrease.

bit by bit diminished

Focuses on a step-by-step reduction.

over time lessened

Highlights the reduction occurring across the course of time.

in due course lessened

Highlights the reduction that happens with time passing.

FAQs

How can I use "progressively fewer" in a sentence?

You can use "progressively fewer" to describe a situation where something is decreasing gradually over time. For example: "As the project progressed, there were "progressively fewer" participants attending the meetings."

What are some alternatives to "progressively fewer"?

Some alternatives include "decreasingly numerous", "gradually less", or "increasingly rare", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "progressively fewer" or "increasingly fewer"?

Both "progressively fewer" and "increasingly fewer" are correct and often interchangeable. However, "progressively fewer" emphasizes the gradual nature of the decrease, while "increasingly fewer" highlights the growing scarcity.

What does "progressively fewer" imply about the rate of change?

The term "progressively fewer" implies that the decrease is happening gradually over time, rather than suddenly or abruptly. The change is incremental and continuous.