slowly but gradually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slowly but gradually" is both grammatically correct and a common phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a situation where progress is being made, however it is slow and takes time. For example: "He was nervous to talk to strangers, but slowly but gradually, he became more comfortable in social settings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Arsenal started slowly but gradually gained control and went ahead through Beattie in the 25th minute.

BBC

My own experience of covering the previous four Paralympics is that interest in the games, and the personalities who emerge from them, tends to start slowly, but gradually grow to a crescendo as the event goes on.

BBC

Sepinwall said it started slowly, but gradually built to a "very funny, and kinda sweet climax in the conference room".

Wikipedia

Moreover, we identified the specific terminal swellings in most of densely GFAP+ processes, whose number and also size slowly but gradually increase with the progression of HD and 10(c)).

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The details pile up slowly but they gradually begin to snowball.

The New York Times - Books

Most committee members seemed to think that the sales should start slowly, but increase gradually to let the markets adjust.

The New York Times

An infected cholesteatoma cyst enlarges slowly but progressively, gradually eroding the bone until the cyst reaches the brain cavity, the nerve that supplies the muscles of the face, or a semicircular canal of the inner ear.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Grow slowly and gradually, but steadily.

Huffington Post

When we are on a diet, we have to leave many food items that we want to eat anyway but slowly and gradually we learn to control on ourselves, since we are sure that this is for our betterment.

WikiHow

The owners started slowly, but with more confidence gradually built speed until they were getting sideways coming out of the turns.

The New York Times

Forget about the memorable scene in the movie where Matthew McConaughey tells a just-beginning broker Leonardo DiCaprio the point of Wall Street is to move the client's money into the broker's pockets, Wall Street flourishes by tapping into their customers' greed, teaching them habits that rarely lead to great success all while pillaging their accounts gradually slowly but surely over time.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slowly but gradually" to describe processes or changes where the initial progress is subtle but steadily increases over time. This is especially effective when you want to convey a sense of eventual, yet certain, achievement.

Common error

Avoid using "slowly but gradually" in situations that demand immediate action or rapid change. The phrase can undermine the perceived importance of addressing time-sensitive issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slowly but gradually" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe the manner in which an action is performed or a process unfolds. As Ludwig AI states, it describes a situation where progress is slow but continuous.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slowly but gradually" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase to describe a process that unfolds incrementally over time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples across different contexts such as news, science and general discourse. While not extremely frequent, it's suitable for various writing styles except in situations requiring urgency. Consider alternatives like "bit by bit" or "step by step" for subtle changes in meaning. When using "slowly but gradually", ensure you aren't undermining the importance of time-sensitive topics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bit by bit

Focuses on small increments of change, highlighting the step-by-step nature of the process.

step by step

Emphasizes the sequential nature of the progress, highlighting an ordered approach.

little by little

Suggests a very slow and almost imperceptible progression.

gradually

A single word capturing the essence of a slow and continuous change.

in due course

Indicates that something will happen at the appropriate time, without necessarily emphasizing slowness.

over time

Highlights the importance of the duration of the process, rather than its pace.

incrementally

Focuses on the process occurring in small, measurable steps.

by degrees

Emphasizes a measured progression through distinct levels or stages.

in stages

Highlights the phased nature of the development or change.

progressively

Emphasizes the ongoing advancement or development of something.

FAQs

How can I use "slowly but gradually" in a sentence?

The phrase "slowly but gradually" is used to describe a process that takes time and progresses incrementally. For example, "He was nervous to talk to strangers, but "slowly but gradually", he became more comfortable in social settings."

What are some alternatives to "slowly but gradually"?

Similar phrases include "bit by bit", "step by step", or simply "gradually", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "slowly but gradually"?

While both words suggest a slow pace, "slowly" emphasizes the rate, while "gradually" highlights the continuous nature of the progress. The phrase "slowly but gradually" can be used for emphasis if you want to highlight both aspects.

How does "slowly but gradually" differ from "steadily"?

"Steadily" implies a consistent pace without necessarily being slow. "Slowly but gradually" suggests a pace that is initially slow but gains momentum over time. So, while you can use "steadily" in some contexts, the other phrase expresses a specific type of progression.