slowly but increasingly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slowly but increasingly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual change or development that is becoming more pronounced over time. Example: "The project is progressing slowly but increasingly, as we are starting to see tangible results from our efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In recent months, the Clintons' daughter has moved slowly but increasingly into more of a public role.

The New York Times

The narrative of the Anthropocene is one of a slowly, but increasingly rapid, unfolding process that in all probability will manifest as a catastrophe for the sustainability of the planet, its ecological systems, human and more-than-human inhabitants (Dalby 2014; Lewis and Maslin 2015; McKinnon 2017; Monastersky 2015; Rockstrom et al. 2009).

Geoscience Letters

As a result, human society and its economy are slowly but increasingly threatened, with both our quality of life and the survival of many other species hanging in the balance.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Slowly, quietly, but increasingly more noisily, startups originally hailing from Europe but going global have been raising larger and larger funding rounds.

TechCrunch

"I was a little apprehensive at first," said Goode, who started slowly but grew increasingly influential as the first half unfolded before working the wing Joe Maddock into space with a high-calibre pass after the interval.

Independent

Just as biological evolution started with relatively simple organic structures and slowly but steadily built increasingly complex organisms, cultural evolution took relatively simple social structures (tribal groups) and iterated on them until the result was a global civilization.

TechCrunch

The point about Downton Abbey is that the house's world changes much more slowly but it is increasingly forced to accept that life is no longer the same.

Huffington Post

Although the industry is still largely homogenous, it looks like its moving (slowly but surely) towards reflecting the increasingly colorful makeup of the country.

Huffington Post

Slowly but surely, we're becoming increasingly conscious of the ethics of representation from #OscarsSoWhite to the recent recommendation that ABC's Q&A increases the amount of women present on the program, there's a growing sense that if non-white, non-male professionals are to succeed, they need to see others who look like them succeeding.

Vice

But slowly — and then increasingly — we began to have a different kind of conversation, "When are we going to stop and just get on top of this?" The solution was always making more money, not cutting back.

The New York Times

But I believe such a decentralized world is (slowly) becoming increasingly plausible and I cannot help but note that its tenets are, fundamentally, the polar opposites of Apple's entire software philosophy.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or developments that will impact someone negatively, remember that it may be prudent to use this phrase rather than other synonyms as a way of demonstrating that you are not trying to provoke anxiety or otherwise exacerbate negative emotions.

Common error

While "slowly but increasingly" is a valid phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider varying your language by using synonyms like "gradually yet progressively" or "bit by bit, with increasing momentum" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slowly but increasingly" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing the manner in which an action or state is changing. It indicates a process that begins at a low pace or intensity and gradually intensifies over time. Ludwig confirms this through various examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slowly but increasingly" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a gradual process gaining momentum, as validated by Ludwig. While not extremely common, its usage is appropriate in various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. Be mindful of potential overuse and consider synonyms to enhance writing style. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase effectively serves to convey both the measured pace and intensifying nature of a development.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradually yet progressively

Replaces "slowly" with "gradually" and "increasingly" with "progressively", maintaining a similar sense of steady advancement.

bit by bit, with increasing momentum

Emphasizes the step-by-step nature and growing force behind the action.

incrementally and steadily

Highlights the small steps and stable pace of the development.

leisurely, but with growing intensity

Introduces a relaxed pace juxtaposed with rising strength or emotion.

at a measured pace, gaining traction

Focuses on a deliberate speed and the gradual gaining of influence or popularity.

slowly but surely gaining ground

Emphasizes the sureness of the progress made, despite its slowness.

evolving gradually with rising force

Highlights the evolutionary aspect and increasing power of the change.

progressing gently, but intensifying

Contrasts a soft initial approach with a growing sense of urgency or strength.

inching forward, gaining more and more

Emphasizes the small advancements and accumulative nature of the progress.

unhurriedly with gathering strength

Highlights the lack of rush and the accumulating power of the change.

FAQs

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

You can use "slowly but increasingly" to describe a process or change that starts gradually and becomes more pronounced over time. For example: "The company's profits are growing "slowly but increasingly", thanks to the new marketing strategy."

What are some alternatives to "slowly but increasingly"?

Some alternatives include "gradually yet progressively", "incrementally and steadily", or "at a measured pace, gaining traction". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "slowly but increasingly"?

While both words suggest a gradual process, "slowly" emphasizes the pace, while "increasingly" highlights the growing intensity or frequency. The combination emphasizes both aspects of the change, and is not necessarily redundant.

Can "slowly but increasingly" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "slowly but increasingly" is appropriate for formal writing, as seen in examples from sources like The New York Times and academic papers. However, consider whether a more concise alternative might be preferable in some contexts.