steadily deplete

USAGE SUMMARY

"steadily deplete" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing a gradual reduction of resources or quantities over time. Example: "The constant use of water from the reservoir will steadily deplete its levels." Alternative expressions include "gradually diminish" and "consistently reduce."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Charities and endowments tend to spend 4% of their portfolios each year; if their real return is only 3%, they will steadily deplete their spending power.The sponsors of American corporate-pension plans still expect 7.6% nominal returns from their portfolios, and fund their schemes accordingly.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The bank's capital ratio was being steadily depleted by a torrent of bad debts.

The Economist

By 2000 the water network was extensive, yet the supply was under considerable strain as reserves were being steadily depleted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yemen has 15 aquifers, and only two today are self-sustaining; all the others are being steadily depleted.

The New York Times

"Cash is frankly a dreadful place for the long term, as the real value will be steadily depleted by the impact of inflation.

The Guardian - Money

If Daisy hadn't blitzkrieged our net worth at Bloomingdale's nothing much would have changed; it's likely I wouldn't have cared if she were only steadily depleting our bank account, a time-honored activity in our civilized world.

The New Yorker

If confirmed by other researchers, the results would upend a doctrine shared by reproductive biologists for 80 years: that a female mammal is born with all the oocytes and follicles she will ever have, and that her stock of eggs is steadily depleted until the procreation pantry is bare.

The New York Times

The helicopter has a finite amount of fuel which is steadily depleted over time.

Wikipedia

The helicopter has a finite amount of fuel which is steadily depleted as the level progresses.

Wikipedia

The Sunday election is the tomato king's second attempt to become mayor of Jerez, a staunchly Catholic community that, like most of the state of Zacatecas, has seen its population depleted steadily during the past two decades by migration to the United States.

The New York Times

It is evident from this study that the snow cover area is depleting steadily in the Garhwal Himalaya.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing resource management, use "steadily deplete" to convey a gradual but continuous reduction, which can underscore the importance of sustainable practices.

Common error

Avoid using "steadily deplete" when describing an abrupt or immediate reduction. The phrase implies a process that occurs over a notable period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steadily deplete" functions as an adverb-verb combination, where "steadily" modifies the verb "deplete". It describes the manner in which something is being depleted, indicating a gradual and consistent process. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "steadily deplete" is a grammatically correct adverb-verb phrase used to describe a gradual and consistent reduction or exhaustion of something. While its frequency is relatively rare, it finds application across diverse sources, including News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science, as validated by Ludwig. The phrase is appropriate for both professional and neutral contexts, conveying a clear and precise meaning. Ludwig AI indicates that the expression is acceptable and readily usable in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradually diminish

Emphasizes a slow and incremental decrease.

consistently reduce

Highlights a continuous and regular reduction.

progressively exhaust

Focuses on the eventual depletion through ongoing use.

slowly erode

Suggests a wearing away or gradual destruction.

continuously drain

Implies an ongoing process of emptying or weakening.

incrementally decrease

Stresses a step-by-step decline.

systematically diminish

Highlights a planned or methodical reduction.

persistently lessen

Emphasizes the continued and unwavering reduction.

unremittingly exhaust

Suggests a relentless process of using up resources.

regularly diminish

Highlights the scheduled reduction in something.

FAQs

What does "steadily deplete" mean?

The phrase "steadily deplete" means to gradually reduce or exhaust something over a period of time. It implies a continuous and consistent reduction.

How can I use "steadily deplete" in a sentence?

You can use "steadily deplete" to describe the gradual reduction of resources. For example: "The overuse of groundwater will "steadily deplete" the aquifer."

What are some alternatives to "steadily deplete"?

Alternatives to "steadily deplete" include "gradually diminish", "consistently reduce", or "progressively exhaust".

Is it correct to say "deplete steadily" instead of "steadily deplete"?

While grammatically understandable, "steadily deplete" is the more common and natural word order. "Deplete steadily" is less frequently used and might sound slightly awkward.