slowly improving

USAGE SUMMARY

"slowly improving" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express gradual progress or development over a period of time. For example, "Her mental health has been slowly improving since she began seeing a therapist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their relationship is slowly improving.

The New Yorker

Things are slowly improving on the ground.

The Economist

The fog and mist are slowly improving".

The Guardian

However, some things were (slowly) improving.

The Guardian

We are slowly improving our city's green credentials.

The Guardian

Security, the most acute problem, has been slowly improving.

The Economist

It has increased their access to health and school and everything is slowly improving".

The Guardian

"GSK's late-stage pipeline has been slowly improving," said Bernstein analyst Tim Anderson.

The Guardian - Business

The job market has been slowly improving but unemployment among the young remains high.

The New York Times

Their neighborhood was slowly improving, and in some ways, it was leaving them behind.

The New York Times

However, she also conceded that Hollywood was slowly improving in its attitudes to diversity.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slowly improving" when you want to emphasize a gradual positive change over time, rather than a sudden or dramatic one. This phrase is useful for describing situations where progress is steady but not rapid.

Common error

Avoid using "slowly improving" when the situation is actually experiencing rapid or significant gains. Using it in such contexts can create a misleading impression of the actual progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slowly improving" functions as a descriptive phrase, combining an adverb ("slowly") with a present participle ("improving"). This combination typically modifies a noun or pronoun, describing something in the process of gradual betterment. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slowly improving" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies gradual progress. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage across diverse contexts. It's most common in News & Media and Science, indicating its relevance in discussing incremental positive changes. Related phrases include "gradually getting better" and "steadily progressing". A key writing tip is to ensure the phrase accurately reflects the pace of change, avoiding its use when progress is rapid.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Gradually getting better

Replaces "slowly improving" with synonyms emphasizing the gradual nature of the improvement and the state of becoming better.

Steadily progressing

Substitutes "slowly improving" with terms that suggest consistent and stable advancement.

Incrementally advancing

Replaces "slowly improving" with a phrase highlighting the small, step-by-step nature of the progress.

Bit by bit enhancing

Emphasizes the step-by-step nature of the improvement process, suggesting a gradual enhancement.

Moderately ameliorating

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey the idea of a gentle and limited degree of improvement.

Slowly getting ahead

Conveys the idea of gradual progress by focusing on moving forward slowly but surely.

Gaining ground gradually

Emphasizes the gradual advance and the act of gaining an advantage.

Evolving slowly

Focuses on the evolutionary aspect of improving gradually over time.

Gently evolving

Highlights the smooth and gradual nature of the evolutionary improvement.

Auspiciously developing

Suggests a positive and favorable gradual development.

FAQs

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

You can use "slowly improving" to describe a situation where progress is being made, but at a gradual pace. For example, "The economy is "slowly improving"" or "His health is "slowly improving" after the surgery".

What are some alternatives to "slowly improving"?

Some alternatives to "slowly improving" include "gradually getting better", "steadily progressing", or "incrementally advancing". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "things are slowly improving"?

Yes, "things are slowly improving" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that a situation is gradually getting better. It aligns with standard English usage and is found in numerous reputable sources.

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

"Slowly improving" indicates a gradual positive change over time, while "rapidly improving" suggests a quick and significant positive change. The choice depends on the actual pace of improvement you want to describe.