steadily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "steadily" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that is done in a consistent, gradual, or continuous manner over time. Example: "The company has been steadily increasing its market share over the past few years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Above all, you have to get consumers to accept significantly higher, and steadily rising, prices.

The Economist

Despite the extraordinary welling up of outrage around the Davis execution, prisoners have continued to be executed steadily over the past 12 months.

The Guardian

Amid a steadily improving economy that has seen the highest pace of job creation in years, Republican attacks on Obama's handling of the country's finances were rarer than during the 2012 election campaign, when the Republican nominee, Mitt Romney, styled himself as the candidate to turn around America's economic fate.

The Guardian

By this time, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi had risen steadily through the group to become a trusted aide to its leader, Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, and his deputy, the Egyptian jihadist Abu Ayub al-Masri.

The Guardian

A lot of effort has been made to improve investigation and conviction has been steadily rising".

The Guardian

Grainge took over Universal in the UK when it was level pegging with EMI; one company invested steadily, the other didn't, and Universal launched the better acts, whether Amy Winehouse or Girls Aloud, or wooed them, from the Rolling Stones to Take That.

The Guardian

Lukashenko won a free and fair presidential election in 1994 after campaigning as a political outsider with an anti-corruption agenda, but once in charge he steadily consolidated his authority, changing the constitution to extend his term in power.

The Guardian

But after securing re-election in 1995 Akayev shifted his political course, steadily expanding his presidential powers.

The Guardian

Tiens first began tapping into the Ugandan market in 2003 and it has grown steadily ever since.

The Guardian

The political runes pointing to Labour's decline had been there to be read clearly since the referendum, as the SNP's membership steadily rose from 25,000 on 18 September to more than 100,000 by March.

The Guardian

Kaberuka concedes that some countries recovering from conflict will need international help, but says those steadily "graduating" thanks to remittances, foreign direct investment and access to capital markets – Ghana is a prime example – should become independent of aid in the not-too-distant future.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "steadily", ensure the context implies a continuous and consistent action or change over time. It's effective for describing trends, progress, or development.

Common error

Avoid using "steadily" when the action is intermittent or fluctuates significantly. "Steadily" suggests a uniform or predictable progression, not sporadic bursts.

How to use

Learn how to use "steadily" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The adverb "steadily" primarily functions as an adverb of manner, modifying verbs to describe how an action is performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a consistent and gradual process. It answers the question 'how' something is happening, providing detail about the manner of the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "steadily" functions as an adverb of manner, indicating a consistent and gradual progression. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and primarily used in a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts, especially within News & Media. Examples show its use in describing economic trends, personal growth, and societal shifts. When writing, remember that "steadily" implies continuous and consistent action, and should not be used for intermittent or fluctuating events. Related alternatives include "gradually", "consistently", and "progressively". In essence, "steadily" is a reliable descriptor for actions or changes that occur with a consistent and predictable rhythm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradually

Highlights the slow and progressive nature of the change, without necessarily implying consistency.

at a constant rate

Emphasizes the uniformity of the action's pace, focusing on the lack of fluctuation.

at a consistent pace

Similar to 'at a constant rate', highlighting the regularity and predictability of the action.

incrementally

Similar to 'gradually', but emphasizes the measured and quantifiable aspect of the progression.

slowly but surely

Emphasizes the inevitability and reliability of the progress, despite its slowness.

bit by bit

Focuses on the incremental nature of the progress, suggesting small, continuous steps.

little by little

Emphasizes the small and almost imperceptible nature of the progress, similar to 'bit by bit'.

methodically

Highlights the structured and systematic approach to the action, implying a deliberate pace.

regularly

Focuses on the consistent recurrence of the action, rather than its pace or intensity.

with measured steps

Focuses on careful and deliberate progression, suggesting precision and control.

FAQs

How can I use "steadily" in a sentence?

You can use "steadily" to describe a gradual or consistent process, for example, "The company's profits have been "steadily increasing" over the past year."

What are some alternatives to the word "steadily"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "gradually", "consistently", or "progressively" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "steadily increasing" or "steady increasing"?

"Steadily increasing" is the correct form, as "steadily" is an adverb modifying the verb "increasing". "Steady increasing" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "steadily" and "constantly"?

"Steadily" implies a consistent pace or progression, while "constantly" suggests continuous occurrence, not necessarily at a uniform rate. For example, a temperature might rise steadily, but fluctuate constantly.