slowly shrinking

USAGE SUMMARY

"slowly shrinking" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is gradually reducing in size or amount. For example, "The polar icecaps are slowly shrinking due to global warming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Its orbit was slowly shrinking.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Novell's legacy enterprise networking business is a slowly shrinking cash cow.

The New York Times

The gulf between the transhumanists and the scientific community was slowly shrinking.

The New Yorker

In part it's because the cultural world has been slowly shrinking for decades.

The New York Times

It is slowly shrinking, like the town of about 500 itself.

The New York Times - Sports

Slowly shrinking attendances for the weekend have persuaded clubs to try it as a curtain-raiser for the season.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

If combined with stronger growth abroad, then the current-account deficit could slowly shrink.

The Economist

Nearing Retirement Ideally, you should have started to slowly shrink your stock position over your working career.

The New York Times

The band can slowly shrink, moving as though it is slipping from the surface, until it becomes just a dot on the apple's skin.

The Economist

Nuclear experts say that without the refurbishment program, the nation's arsenal could slowly shrink as warheads fail or are used up in destructive testing.

The New York Times

Habitats slowly shrink, populations wither, inbreeding increases and a species weakens until some outside force — a storm, a fire, a dry spell — administers the coup de grâce.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slowly shrinking", consider the context. It's effective for describing gradual changes in size, quantity, or influence over time. For example, "The company's market share is slowly shrinking due to increased competition."

Common error

While "slowly shrinking" is generally acceptable, in highly formal or scientific writing, consider more precise alternatives such as "gradually diminishing" or "progressively contracting" to convey a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slowly shrinking" typically functions as a verbal phrase, where "slowly" acts as an adverb modifying the verb "shrinking". It describes the manner in which something is decreasing in size or amount. Ludwig AI confirms this as the phrase is considered a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slowly shrinking" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the gradual decrease in size, amount, or influence of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While appropriate in most situations, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain academic or scientific contexts. Remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize a gradual and continuous process of reduction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradually diminishing

Changes the adjective to "gradually" and the verb to "diminishing", emphasizing a slow decline.

steadily decreasing

Replaces "shrinking" with "decreasing", focusing on a consistent reduction.

progressively contracting

Uses "contracting" instead of "shrinking", suggesting a drawing inward.

slowly receding

Employs "receding" to indicate a moving back or away, implying shrinkage.

little by little diminishing

Emphasizes the gradual nature of the reduction through a more descriptive adverbial phrase.

incrementally reducing

Highlights that the reduction happens in small steps or increments.

on a downward trend

Uses a more general phrase to describe a situation where something is decreasing over time.

experiencing a gradual decline

Shifts the focus to the process of declining, highlighting the slow pace.

in the process of lessening

Focuses on the ongoing activity of reducing, emphasizing that it's currently happening.

atenuation over time

Expresses "decreasing" or "shrinking" using the more formal term "attenuation".

FAQs

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

You can use "slowly shrinking" to describe a gradual reduction in size, amount, or influence. For instance, "The polar ice caps are slowly shrinking due to climate change" or "The company's profits are slowly shrinking due to increased competition."

What are some alternatives to "slowly shrinking"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "gradually diminishing", "steadily decreasing", or "progressively contracting".

Is it correct to say "shrinking slowly" instead of "slowly shrinking"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "slowly shrinking" is generally preferred because the adverb "slowly" modifies the verb "shrinking" more directly. "Shrinking slowly" places more emphasis on the action of shrinking itself.

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

"Slowly shrinking" indicates a gradual decrease, while "rapidly shrinking" suggests a much faster decline. The choice depends on the specific rate of reduction you want to convey.