relatively slowly

USAGE SUMMARY

"relatively slowly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to compare a rate of progress or a speed to something else. For example, "The car was traveling relatively slowly compared to the other vehicles on the highway."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That number is going up relatively slowly".

The New York Times

During the boost phase, missiles move relatively slowly.

The New York Times

His career on Wall Street started relatively slowly.

The New Yorker

As a result, flexible machines are typically moved relatively slowly.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Britain's economy continues to grow, albeit relatively slowly.

The Washington Post

It flies relatively slowly and can loiter above targets.

The Economist

However, a small amount can be captured in charge traps, which release the charge relatively slowly.

Harvard University

They actually form clouds, or volumes, of fuel rich materials that detonate relatively slowly.

Yale University

Ferris wheels rotate about relatively slowly making one revolution every 600 seconds or so.

Harvard University

The elastomers degraded relatively slowly, with degradation being incomplete after 12 weeks.

Biomaterials

The six-car train, which was traveling relatively slowly, smashed into the side of the bus.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "relatively slowly", ensure the context clearly establishes what the comparison is being made to. This helps the reader understand the degree of slowness being conveyed.

Common error

Avoid using "relatively slowly" without a clear point of reference. Without a comparison, the phrase becomes vague and loses its impact. Always clarify what is faster or slower by comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relatively slowly" functions as an adverbial modifier. It modifies verbs, adverbs, or adjectives to indicate the degree or manner in which an action is performed or a quality is exhibited. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "relatively slowly" is a grammatically sound adverbial modifier used to compare the pace of an action or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for general use. It appears most often in scientific and news-related contexts, conveying that something is progressing slower than a reference point. Related phrases include "pretty slowly", "rather slowly", and "quite slowly", each with subtle variations in emphasis. When using "relatively slowly", ensure a clear comparison is made to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pretty slowly

Emphasizes a slower pace using a more casual tone.

rather slowly

Indicates a somewhat slower pace than usual.

quite slowly

Implies a noticeable degree of slowness.

somewhat slowly

Suggests a slight degree of slowness.

fairly slowly

Similar to 'rather slowly', indicating a moderate degree of slowness.

moderately slowly

Formally expresses a medium level of slowness.

gradually

Focuses on the process of slowing over time.

at a leisurely pace

Describes a relaxed and unhurried tempo.

at a snail's pace

Implies extreme slowness.

with measured steps

Highlights a deliberate and careful movement.

FAQs

How can I use "relatively slowly" in a sentence?

You can use "relatively slowly" to compare the speed of something to another thing. For example, "The economy is growing "relatively slowly" compared to other developed nations."

What are some alternatives to using "relatively slowly"?

Alternatives include "pretty slowly", "rather slowly", or "quite slowly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "relatively slowly" or "slowly"?

The choice depends on the context. "Slowly" describes the speed of something. "Relatively slowly" implies a comparison to something else. If you are comparing, "relatively slowly" is more appropriate; otherwise, "slowly" might suffice.

What does "relatively slowly" mean?

"Relatively slowly" means that something is happening at a pace that is slower than something else, or slower than a typical or expected pace. The term implies a comparison.