slowly decreasing

USAGE SUMMARY

"slowly decreasing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is gradually getting smaller or lessening in amount. For example: "The amount of oxygen in the atmosphere is slowly decreasing due to pollution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One future is of glacially slowly decreasing, but decreasing, parochialism.

The Guardian - Books

The average age, across both sexes, is slowly decreasing.

The Guardian

But he added, "Demand is slowly decreasing in Europe".

The New York Times

Scientists say the atmospheric concentrations of such chemicals have peaked and are slowly decreasing.

The New York Times

Currently, while it has asked residents to conserve, Durango is pulling water from slowly decreasing holding reservoirs.

The Guardian

Despite data in the 1970s and 1980s that marine catch numbers were slowly decreasing, the fishing industry grew.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Reader 2, if you're not warming down, you may want to try slowly decreasing your activity before stopping completely.

Columbia University

The number of new cases of oral cancer has been slowly decreasing over the past two decades.

Harvard University

In 1965 the city had about 1,850,000 inhabitants, but since then the population has been slowly decreasing.

Britannica

Neonatal mortality accounts for nearly 60% of infant mortality, with this percentage slowly decreasing in developing countries.

The Lancet

The ocean gliders travel by slowly decreasing their buoyancy to sink, and then increasing it again to rise.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slowly decreasing", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reduced. For instance, specify "the number of", "the size of", or another relevant measure to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "slowly decreasing" when the decrease is actually rapid or significant. Ensure that the adverb "slowly" accurately reflects the gradual nature of the change being described.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slowly decreasing" functions primarily as a modifier, specifically describing how something is changing over time. It indicates the manner in which a subject is undergoing a reduction, highlighting the gradual nature of the change. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slowly decreasing" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes a gradual reduction over time. Ludwig AI confirms that is a proper English phrase. Its applications span across various domains, including science, news, and academia, indicating its versatility and broad applicability. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, its frequent use in scientific and formal contexts lends it a degree of formality. When using "slowly decreasing", ensure that the context provides a clear understanding of what is being reduced and that the rate of decrease is accurately represented.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slowly diminishing

Replaces the verb 'decreasing' with a synonym.

slowly declining

Replaces the verb 'decreasing' with a synonym.

gradually diminishing

Changes the adverb and verb while maintaining the sense of a gradual reduction.

steadily declining

Emphasizes a consistent and continuous decrease.

progressively lessening

Highlights the ongoing nature of the decrease.

gently receding

Implies a mild and unhurried reduction.

moderately dwindling

Indicates a decrease that is neither rapid nor drastic.

incrementally reducing

Focuses on the small, consistent steps of the decrease.

softly abating

Suggests a gentle and weakening decrease.

mildly subsiding

Implies a lessening of intensity or force.

FAQs

How can I use "slowly decreasing" in a sentence?

You can use "slowly decreasing" to describe a gradual reduction in quantity, size, or intensity. For example, "The patient's fever was "slowly decreasing" after taking the medication".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "slowly decreasing"?

Some alternatives include "gradually diminishing", "steadily declining", or "progressively lessening", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "slowly decreasing" and "rapidly decreasing"?

"Slowly decreasing" indicates a gradual reduction over time, while "rapidly decreasing" suggests a much faster rate of decline. The choice depends on the actual pace of the change you are describing.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "slowly decreasing"?

It is appropriate to use "slowly decreasing" in contexts where a gradual decline is observed or expected, such as in scientific data analysis, economic trends, or medical conditions. For example, "The concentration of pollutants in the river is "slowly decreasing" due to new environmental regulations".