slowly receding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slowly receding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is gradually moving away or diminishing over time, such as a tide, a memory, or a feeling. Example: "As the sun set, the light began slowly receding, casting long shadows across the landscape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

It has been slowly receding since then.

The New York Times

Several hundred others had to leave homes in Wisconsin, where the river had been slowly receding.

The New York Times

The angry waters are slowly receding in Mozambique but thousands of people remain homeless.

The New York Times

Consequently, the Moon is slowly receding from Earth, with the result that both the day and the month are getting longer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although new potential routes of transmission have been demonstrated, fears of millions of patients coming down with vCJD are slowly receding.

The Economist

With water levels slowly receding, "many want to go back to their villages and start rebuilding their homes," said a witness who has toured the flood areas.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

On Sunday, the city seemed to take a collective breath as the waters slowly receded.

The New York Times

As the lawn slowly receded beneath me, its green became even more brilliant.

The New Yorker

The landscape slowly recedes from view and you see yourself reflected in glimmering bronze.

The New York Times - Style

The characters slowly recede from each other, to opposite sides of the frame and into their own solitudes.

The New York Times

Real life, with its soundtrack of screaming sirens and crashing building sites, slowly recedes like a bad dream.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slowly receding" to describe situations where something is not disappearing entirely but becoming less prominent or influential over time. For example, "The popularity of that trend is slowly receding."

Common error

Avoid using "slowly receding" in contexts where a rapid or sudden decrease is more appropriate. For example, if a company's profits plummet unexpectedly, "collapsing" or "plummeting" would be more accurate than "slowly receding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slowly receding" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing how the action of receding occurs. It modifies verbs to specify the manner in which something is moving away or diminishing. This is seen in examples from Ludwig, where it describes the gradual decrease of water levels or abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

26%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

16%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slowly receding" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a gradual decrease or movement away. Ludwig AI supports its correctness and usability. It's versatile, fitting in neutral contexts and across various domains like news, business, and science. When writing, consider alternative phrases like "gradually diminishing" or "gently subsiding" for nuanced expression, but avoid overuse in situations requiring more immediate or dramatic language. Remember, "slowly receding" is best suited for situations where the decrease is progressive and not abrupt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradually diminishing

This alternative emphasizes the reduction in size or intensity over time.

steadily declining

This phrase highlights the continuous and consistent nature of the decrease.

progressively waning

This alternative focuses on the gradual loss of power or influence.

gently subsiding

This suggests a calm and subtle decrease, often used for water levels or emotions.

leisurely withdrawing

This implies a relaxed and unhurried movement away.

bit by bit decreasing

Emphasizes the step by step nature of the reduction

little by little diminishing

Stresses the incremental nature of the decrease, happening in small steps.

moderately decreasing

The reduction happens with moderation, not too fast or slow.

unhurriedly diminishing

The reduction process happens at a relaxed pace

hesitantly retracting

The phrase suggests a cautious or reluctant movement backward.

FAQs

What does "slowly receding" mean?

The phrase "slowly receding" describes a gradual decrease or movement away from a particular state, level, or position. It suggests that something is diminishing over time at a moderate pace.

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

You can use "slowly receding" to describe physical phenomena like floodwaters, as in "The floodwaters were "slowly receding" from the town". You can also use it for abstract concepts, such as "His fever was "slowly receding"".

What are some alternatives to "slowly receding"?

Alternatives to "slowly receding" include "gradually diminishing", "steadily declining", or "gently subsiding", depending on the specific context.

Is "slowly receding" grammatically correct?

Yes, "slowly receding" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English to describe a gradual decrease or movement away. The Ludwig AI confirms that it's a usable phrase.