slowed over time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slowed over time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual decrease in speed, intensity, or frequency of an action or process as time progresses. Example: "The production rate of the factory slowed over time due to equipment aging and maintenance issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

While they spread out initially to find boats, their spreading slowed over time.

The New York Times - Science

Almost imperceptibly, the weight continued to sink lower in the tube, and although the rate of sinking slowed over time, it never came to a complete stop.

The New York Times - Science

Despite the severe losses, the study showed that the rate of decline has slowed over time, which could indicate that management of the protected areas has improved in recent times.

The Guardian

The rise of the wet front was rapid at the start of the experiment and gradually slowed over time.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

Scally's group comes up with a date of about 6 million years ago, adjusting what would have been a more recent estimate by assuming that the mutation rate slowed over time in ape evolution.

Science Magazine

The parameter δ estimates whether the rate of trait evolution has accelerated or slowed over time as one moves from the root to the tips of the tree.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"We anticipate that our user growth rate will slow over time as the size of our user base increases," the company said in its announcement.

The Guardian - Tech

GoDaddy has significant debt, and plenty of recurring losses, even as they are slowing over time.

TechCrunch

Peaking at 30 DAA, such activity showed distinct decreases at 45 and 90 DAA, before slowing over time.

Plosone

As expected for a diffusion-limited process, the increase in size slows over time.

ACS Nano

Assuming stability in the population proportion of individuals at high risk of developing diabetes, the rate of increase in the number of individuals with diabetes and the proportion with diabetes tends to slow over time.

Diabetologia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or processes, use "slowed over time" to clearly indicate a gradual decrease in rate or speed. This helps to convey the dynamic nature of the change.

Common error

Avoid using "slowed over time" when you mean that something completely ceased. "Slowed over time" implies a reduction in pace, not a complete halt. Use "stopped over time" or "ceased gradually" if the action eventually ended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slowed over time" functions as a modifier, typically describing how a rate, process, or trend changes. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. It indicates a gradual decrease in speed or intensity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slowed over time" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that describes a gradual decrease in speed or intensity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s suitable for use in a variety of contexts, especially science and news media. While synonyms like "decelerated gradually" and "diminished with time" exist, it’s important to use the phrase appropriately to convey a reduction in pace, rather than a complete cessation. Avoid confusing it with "stopped over time", and be mindful of the context to ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decelerated gradually

Emphasizes the reduction in speed more directly.

decreased in pace

Focuses on the tempo or rate of something.

diminished with time

Highlights a reduction in magnitude or intensity.

reduced its speed

Directly states the lessening of velocity.

lost momentum gradually

Suggests a decline in driving force or impetus.

progressively lessened

Emphasizes the ongoing and continuous reduction.

waned over the period

Implies a fading or weakening throughout the duration.

eased off with time

Suggests a relaxation or loosening of intensity.

petered out eventually

Implies a gradual trailing off to nothing.

became less rapid

Highlights a reduction in quickness or swiftness.

FAQs

How can I use "slowed over time" in a sentence?

Use "slowed over time" to describe a process or activity that gradually decreases in speed or intensity. For example, "The growth of the company "slowed over time" due to increased competition."

What are some synonyms for "slowed over time"?

Alternatives include "decelerated gradually", "diminished with time", or "decreased in pace". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "slowed down over time"?

Yes, "slowed down over time" is also a correct and common alternative to ""slowed over time"". Both phrases indicate a gradual decrease in speed or intensity.

What's the difference between "slowed over time" and "stopped over time"?

"Slowed over time" indicates a gradual reduction in speed, while "stopped over time" suggests that something eventually ceased completely. The former implies continued but reduced activity, whereas the latter indicates termination.