retreat gradually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retreat gradually" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a process of moving back or withdrawing slowly over time. Example: "As the storm approached, the hikers decided to retreat gradually to a safer location, ensuring they didn't rush and risk injury."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As the glaciers began to retreat gradually about 18,000 years ago, species of the taiga began to move northward in Europe and North America.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

As night fell, the houses retreated gradually into shadow, but they lost none of their ugliness.

The New Yorker

Having struggled to abandon them, she retreated gradually to Amsterdam: still elegant, still pale, standing tall as the nuns had taught her.Naked in the sea Emmanuelle" followed her, the theme tune lilting in her head.

The Economist

In other colonies, guards avoid conflicts with hornets by retreating gradually and by forming a defensive line of honeybees at the hive entrance.

Behavioural Processes

But its charts will almost certainly show budget deficits that will gradually retreat to tamer levels.

The New York Times

Minutes after being posted at his Internet site (www.gildertech.com), the companies' stock prices rise vertiginously (until, days later, they gradually retreat to less exalted levels).

The New York Times - Arts

Pension and insurance funds should consider urgent divestment from "very risky" coal assets and then gradually retreat from oil and gas, Ed Davey, the UK energy and climate change secretary, has warned.

The Guardian

But simply because NATO cannot be an alliance of equals does not mean that it won't play a significant role in our grand strategy: to create a web of global arrangements and liberal institutions that will allow America to gradually retreat from its costly and risky position of overbearing dominance.

The New York Times

Upon annealing, the upper polymer layers gradually retreat and the remaining area becomes thicker, but in contrast the first half polymer layer contacting mica becomes thinner due to wetting and the parallel orientation of the E crystal stems.

Polymer

The surviving French ships of the line, covering their retreat with gunfire, gradually pulled to the east away from the shore at 06:06.

Wikipedia

Led by the pianists Lennie Tristano and, later, Sal Mosca, these musicians tested their theories in rehearsal studios, gradually retreating from the public eye — a retreat from which Mr. Brown has only recently emerged for the occasional club date.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "retreat gradually" to describe a planned and controlled withdrawal, not a sudden or panicked one. This phrasing implies a deliberate and measured pace.

Common error

Avoid using "retreat gradually" when the situation involves a rapid or immediate withdrawal. The phrase suggests a slow and controlled process, so ensure it aligns with the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retreat gradually" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner of the action. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The phrase describes how the action of retreating is performed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "retreat gradually" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase used to describe a controlled and deliberate withdrawal. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. Its meaning conveys a sense of measured movement, as opposed to a rushed or panicked escape. It's appropriate for various contexts, from news reports to scientific discussions. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize the slow, controlled nature of the retreat.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

withdraw slowly

Focuses on the act of withdrawing with an emphasis on slowness.

draw back gradually

Similar to "retreat gradually" but focuses on the act of drawing back.

recede progressively

Emphasizes the forward movement of receding over time.

step back incrementally

Highlights the small, measured steps taken during the withdrawal.

pull back steadily

Suggests a consistent and controlled withdrawal.

slowly pull away

Focuses on the pulling away motion, emphasizing the slowness of the action.

fall back bit by bit

Conveys a sense of yielding ground in small increments.

regress bit by bit

Highlights the backwards movement in small steps over time.

cede ground slowly

Highlights the relinquishing of territory or position in a gradual manner.

give way incrementally

Emphasizes a yielding or surrendering of something in stages.

FAQs

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

You can use "retreat gradually" to describe a slow and measured withdrawal from a position or situation. For example: "As the tide rose, the crabs had to "retreat gradually" up the beach".

What are some alternatives to "retreat gradually"?

Some alternatives to "retreat gradually" include "withdraw slowly", "recede progressively", or "draw back gradually". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "gradually retreat" instead of "retreat gradually"?

While "gradually retreat" is understandable, "retreat gradually" is the more common and natural phrasing. The adverb typically follows the verb in this construction for better flow.

What does "retreat gradually" imply about the nature of the withdrawal?

"Retreat gradually" suggests a deliberate and controlled withdrawal, as opposed to a hasty or panicked flight. It emphasizes the measured pace of the movement.