slowly deteriorating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slowly deteriorating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is gradually declining in quality, condition, or health over time. Example: "The old building has been slowly deteriorating due to lack of maintenance and harsh weather conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

The vaccine is slowly deteriorating.

The New Yorker

The relationship has been slowly deteriorating ever since.

The New York Times

"It's been slowly deteriorating over the past few starts".

The New York Times - Sports

So she goes on calling, her failed bark slowly deteriorating into a human voice.

The New Yorker

Liywalii Mushokabanji, a staff archaeologist, pointed to boxes of pottery slowly deteriorating in the inhospitable conditions.

The New York Times

"Every day, he's slowly deteriorating," said Mrs. Scharfman, 45, who is a nurse.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Martz said her mind slowly deteriorated.

The New York Times - Sports

They slowly deteriorate in the weather and elements.

The New York Times

To sit here and watch it slowly deteriorate?

The New York Times

"I begin to slowly deteriorate the longer I do this.

The Guardian - Arts

Her vision has slowly deteriorated for the last two decades because of cysts growing on her corneas.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process, consider whether "slowly deteriorating" accurately conveys the pace and nature of the decline. Is it subtle or noticeable? Gradual or intermittent? Adjust the wording to match the specific context.

Common error

Avoid using "slowly deteriorating" when you simply mean something is not getting better. "Not improving" indicates a lack of progress, while "slowly deteriorating" implies an active decline. Ensure your wording reflects the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slowly deteriorating" functions as a verb phrase, where 'slowly' acts as an adverb modifying the verb 'deteriorating'. Ludwig shows it describes the manner in which something is declining. It is a descriptive phrase indicating a gradual decrease in quality or condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slowly deteriorating" effectively communicates a gradual decline in condition or quality. Grammatically, it’s sound, with the adverb 'slowly' modifying the verb 'deteriorating'. Ludwig confirms that it commonly appears in news, media, and scientific contexts, as an indicator for a process in which something gradually worsens.

While versatile, it's important to use it precisely. It should not be used if the condition remains the same and not worsens, in those cases, "not improving" can be a better alternative, depending on the context. Other alternatives, like "gradually declining" or "progressively worsening", can add nuance to your writing. The key is to ensure your word choice accurately reflects the pace and nature of the decline you're describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradually declining

Replaces "deteriorating" with "declining" and uses "gradually" instead of "slowly", maintaining the sense of a gradual process.

progressively worsening

Substitutes both words, offering a slightly more clinical or formal tone.

steadily declining

Similar to "gradually declining", but with a slightly different nuance in the adverb.

slowly degrading

Replaces "deteriorating" with "degrading", implying a loss of quality or integrity.

bit by bit decaying

More figurative, emphasizing the incremental nature of the decay.

imperceptibly declining

Highlights the subtle, often unnoticeable nature of the decline.

gradual decay

Nominalizes the phrase, focusing on the process as a whole.

insidiously declining

Emphasizes the harmful and subtle nature of the decline.

losing ground incrementally

More idiomatic, suggesting a gradual loss of position or advantage.

on a downward trajectory

Uses a metaphor of a path to describe a decline.

FAQs

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

Use "slowly deteriorating" to describe something gradually declining in condition, quality, or health. For example, "The painting was "slowly deteriorating" due to humidity".

What are some alternatives to "slowly deteriorating"?

You can use alternatives like "gradually declining", "progressively worsening", or "steadily declining" depending on the context.

Is "slowly deteriorating" formal or informal?

"Slowly deteriorating" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "slowly deteriorating" and "rapidly deteriorating"?

"Slowly deteriorating" indicates a gradual decline over time, while "rapidly deteriorating" suggests a much faster decline. The choice between them depends on the pace of change you want to emphasize.