shrunk gradually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shrunk gradually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process where something decreases in size or amount over time. Example: "The sweater shrunk gradually after several washes, leading to a tighter fit than expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Slipping into mediocrity is often imperceptibly slow: the domino effect might begin when a talented chef departs, then the menu is pared and the kitchen and dining room staff reduced; and by then the once full house of enthusiastic diners has shrunk gradually to a handful of bookings, even on a popular weekend evening.

The New York Times

The chest tube was cut shorter on the 25th POD and was removed on the 50th POD as the cavity had shrunk gradually.

Surgical Case Reports

Experiments revealed that the plasma parameters reached a steady state at about 500 μs after the RF pulse ON and they shrunk gradually after the end of the RF pulse.

Surface and Coatings Technology

In SCM (Kajitani et al. 2002), the gasification reaction was assumed to happen only on the surface of spherical particle, and the non-reacted core shrunk gradually during the process of reaction.

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It has been shrinking gradually in recent years.

The New York Times

By 1941 it had more than 13,000 miles (21,000 km) of track, but it shrank gradually thereafter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But Scotland's population, now about 5.1m, is forecast to shrink gradually, falling below 5m in about 2018.Recent economic news seems bound to worsen this trend.

The Economist

The Fed had planned to allow the size of that portfolio to shrink gradually as the securities matured or the debts were prepaid.

The New York Times

Vulture populations had been shrinking gradually from loss of habitat and disease throughout Asia, but what happened in India and Pakistan was different.

The New York Times

Among the quandaries the Russian government faces: The "Putin majority" that appeared a decade ago seems to be shrinking gradually, like a giant block of ice that is melting at the edges.

The New York Times

If your firm is currently profitable, as the newspapers were in the late 1990s, it might be better to just pay out larger dividends and plan for the firm to shrink gradually over time.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shrunk gradually" to describe physical objects, quantities, or abstract concepts that diminish in size, number, or intensity over a period. For clarity, specify the timeframe and factors influencing the reduction.

Common error

Avoid using "shrunk gradually" when a rapid or immediate decrease is intended. The phrase implies a slow and consistent rate of reduction, so choose alternative wording if that's not the case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shrunk gradually" functions as a verb phrase, where "shrunk" is the past participle of the verb 'shrink', and "gradually" acts as an adverb modifying the verb to indicate the manner of shrinking. Ludwig AI confirms its valid usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shrunk gradually" is a verb phrase used to describe a slow and progressive decrease in size, quantity, or intensity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It appears in various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias, indicating its versatility. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the gradual nature of the reduction being described. Alternatives like "decreased slowly" or "diminished gradually" can be used for semantic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreased slowly

Replaces "shrunk" with a synonym and maintains the adverbial modifier.

diminished gradually

Uses a different verb with a similar meaning to "shrunk".

progressively reduced

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the reduction.

slowly contracted

Substitutes "shrunk" with another verb implying reduction in size.

steadily declined

Shifts the focus to a downward trend rather than physical shrinking.

gradually lessened

Replaces "shrunk" with "lessened," indicating a decrease in intensity or amount.

eased off over time

Uses a more idiomatic expression to convey a gradual reduction.

tapered off slowly

Implies a gradual decrease from a peak.

attenuated gradually

Employs a more formal verb suggesting a weakening or reduction.

receded incrementally

Conveys a sense of something moving back or away in small steps.

FAQs

What does "shrunk gradually" mean?

The phrase "shrunk gradually" means something has decreased in size, amount, or intensity slowly over time. It implies a consistent and progressive reduction rather than a sudden or abrupt one.

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

You might say, "The company's market share "decreased slowly" as new competitors emerged," or "The swelling "diminished gradually" after applying ice."

Which is more appropriate: "shrunk gradually" or "shrunk suddenly"?

"Shrunk gradually" is used when the reduction happens slowly over time. "Shrunk suddenly" is appropriate when the reduction is quick and unexpected. The correct choice depends on the specific context.

What are some alternatives to "shrunk gradually"?

Some alternatives to "shrunk gradually" include "decreased slowly", "diminished gradually", or "progressively reduced". The best alternative depends on the nuance you want to convey.