slow improvement

USAGE SUMMARY

"slow improvement" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an improvement that is happening over a long period of time. For example, "Even though we have seen a slow improvement in test scores, we are still far behind our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Of course, you would expect a slow improvement," he said.

The New York Times

Experts say there are parts of Iraq's government that have shown slow improvement.

The New York Times

And it was easy because I could see the slow improvement.

The Guardian - Sport

"The labor market is clearly moving in the right direction, although it is a slow improvement".

The New York Times

"We understand the home secretary's comments that 'increasing caseloads and complex investigations [must not] slow improvement or hinder further change'.

The Guardian

Analysts said the resulting jump in claims in the last two weeks was masking a slow improvement in labor markets.

The New York Times

There is no clear standard and little freedom for the "central media", despite two decades of slow improvement.

The Guardian - Opinion

But what else is the political, and indeed the democratic, process than the digging, the use, and hopefully the slow improvement of these very channels?

The New Yorker

Many economists are predicting a slow improvement in the trade picture in 2001 as weaker United States economic growth translates into falling demand for imported goods.

The New York Times

And the Fed expects only slow improvement, with unemployment at the end of 2013 expected to still be around 7 percent.

The New York Times

A slow improvement during the 1990s has stalled, and pollution in the city regularly breaches limits recommended by the World Health Organisation.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slow improvement", specify the area or aspect that is improving to provide context and clarity. For example, "slow improvement in water quality".

Common error

Avoid dismissing "slow improvement" as insignificant. Acknowledge that even small, consistent progress can lead to substantial long-term gains.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slow improvement" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "slow" modifies the noun "improvement". It describes the nature of the improvement as being gradual rather than rapid. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slow improvement" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to describe progress that is gradual in nature, commonly appearing in contexts such as news reporting, scientific research, and business communications. While alternatives like "gradual progress" or "steady advancement" exist, "slow improvement" specifically emphasizes the pace of positive change. When employing this phrase, clarity can be enhanced by specifying the area undergoing improvement. Recognizing that even "slow improvement" is still improvement is critical for managing expectations and appreciating long-term gains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradual progress

Emphasizes the step-by-step nature of the improvement, focusing on the incremental changes over time.

steady advancement

Highlights the consistent and unwavering nature of the positive changes.

incremental betterment

Stresses the small, additive improvements that collectively lead to a larger positive change.

slight upturn

Suggests a minimal positive change, usually from a previous state of stagnation or decline.

modest recovery

Implies a gentle climb back from a negative state, focusing on the limited extent of the recovery.

measured growth

Emphasizes a carefully paced and controlled positive change.

gradual amelioration

Highlights the slow but continuous alleviation of a negative condition.

creeping enhancement

Suggests a subtle and almost imperceptible positive change over time.

unhurried advancement

Focuses on the lack of urgency or speed in the progress.

stepwise refinement

Highlights improvement by sequentially ordered stages or levels.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "slow improvement" in a sentence?

Use "slow improvement" to describe gradual progress, specifying what is improving. For instance, "There has been a "slow improvement" in air quality due to new regulations".

What are some alternatives to saying "slow improvement"?

Alternatives include "gradual progress", "steady advancement", or "incremental betterment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "slow improvement" or "slight improvement"?

Both are correct, but "slow improvement" emphasizes the time taken for progress, while "slight improvement" emphasizes the degree or magnitude of the change.

What is the difference between "slow improvement" and "continuous improvement"?

"Slow improvement" describes the pace of progress, whereas "continuous improvement" emphasizes the ongoing and unbroken nature of the process.