steadily higher

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "steadily higher" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a consistent and gradual increase in something, such as prices, temperatures, or performance metrics. Example: "The company's profits have been steadily higher over the past three quarters, indicating strong growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Yet overhead costs have marched steadily higher.

The New York Times

They are unconscionably high and getting steadily higher.

The New York Times - Food

But as he spoke, Herbalife shares ticked steadily higher.

The Economist

Some banks instituted a tiered penalty system, charging customers steadily higher fees as the overdrafts mount.

The New York Times

Stocks have escaped their August doldrums and moved steadily higher in September, helped by several encouraging economic signals.

The New York Times

The luxury market, which has been commanding steadily higher prices for more than a year, may finally have plateaued.

The New York Times

He hopes to reverse a persistent rise in unemployment, which has marched steadily higher as France loses its economic competitiveness.

The New York Times

Since then, it has pushed steadily higher, to 7.7 million a day, and Mr. Kukes of Tyumen estimated that it could hit 10.2 million by 2010.

The New York Times

In the days since Nagassi made it to shore, the death toll has piled steadily higher, reaching three hundred and two yesterday, and counting.

The New Yorker

The Lib Dems float somewhere in the middle, with vague commitments of "more jobs in our economy, with steadily higher wages".

The Guardian

As prices steadily rose, BP refused to sell, driving prices steadily higher until they could force buyers to accept the asking price.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "steadily higher", ensure the context provides a clear baseline for comparison. For example, "profits were steadily higher compared to the previous quarter" clarifies the point of reference.

Common error

Avoid using "steadily higher" in multiple consecutive sentences or paragraphs when describing a single trend. Vary your language to prevent monotony and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steadily higher" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier followed by an adjective. According to Ludwig AI, this combination typically describes a consistent increase or upward trend, as seen in examples concerning prices, stock values, and unemployment rates. The adverb "steadily" modifies "higher", indicating the manner in which something is increasing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "steadily higher" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to describe a consistent and gradual increase. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific reporting. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and maintain clarity in your writing. Alternatives like "gradually increasing" or "consistently rising" can add variety. Understanding its function as an adverbial modifier helps ensure accurate and impactful usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradually increasing

Replaces the adverb "steadily" with "gradually", emphasizing the slow pace of the increase.

consistently rising

Substitutes "steadily" with "consistently" and "higher" with "rising", highlighting the continuous nature of the upward movement.

progressively advancing

Emphasizes the ongoing and forward-moving nature of the increase.

continuously climbing

Focuses on the unbroken upward movement, replacing "higher" with "climbing".

incrementally growing

Highlights the small steps of increase, conveying a sense of gradual accumulation.

systematically ascending

Implies a structured and ordered upward progression.

uninterruptedly elevating

Focuses on the lack of breaks in the upward movement.

persistently escalating

Highlights the ongoing and potentially intensifying nature of the increase.

surely increasing

Implies confidence in the upward trend.

markedly increasing

Highlights a noticeable upward trend.

FAQs

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

You can use "steadily higher" to describe a consistent increase over time, such as "The company's revenue has been steadily higher each quarter" or "The temperature climbed steadily higher throughout the afternoon".

What are some alternatives to "steadily higher"?

Some alternatives include "gradually increasing", "consistently rising", or "progressively advancing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "steady higher" instead of "steadily higher"?

While "steady higher" might be understood in some contexts, "steadily higher" is the grammatically correct and more common way to express a gradual and consistent increase. "Steady" functions as an adjective, whereas "steadily" functions as an adverb modifying the adjective "higher".

What's the difference between "steadily higher" and "rapidly higher"?

"Steadily higher" implies a gradual and consistent increase, while "rapidly higher" suggests a much faster rate of increase. The choice depends on the actual pace of the change you are describing.