to a growing extent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to a growing extent" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that something is increasing or becoming more significant over time. Example: "The community is embracing technology to a growing extent." Alternative expressions include "increasingly" and "to an increasing degree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

My sense is that, to a growing extent, practically everyone would like to see Greece leave the currency area.

The Economist

To a growing extent the cultures in the East are also experiencing a loss of their traditional authorities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To a growing extent, he said, more employees are starting to cooperate through corporate intranet travel engines, which are seen by travel managers as ways to reduce long-term travel costs.

The New York Times

But to a growing extent, these arguments may be heard inside the ranks of the church.At the same time, it is not easy to see how the cardinals who select John Paul's successor, even if they were overcome by a sudden burst of liberal sentiment, could make a choice which somehow addresses these conflicting realities.

The Economist

However, raw materials for higher processed inputs to the production processes of biomass-based manufactured products are originating to a growing extent outside the EU.

Journal of Economic Structures

Although the exact history of any particular complex biological feature may never be fully worked out, biologists are confident that the mechanisms by which they arise can be and to a growing extent, are—understood.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

While the major labels are crumbling due to rampant downloading of pirated music, the Internet has also given bands the means to go their own way to a growing extent, they are no longer dependent on an EMI or Warner Music to get their music to fans.

Forbes

The spread of HIV is being driven by injecting drug use and, to a lesser but growing extent, unsafe sex among young people.

Unicef

In Ukraine, the spread of HIV is being driven by injecting drug use and to a lesser but growing extent, unsafe sex among young people.

Unicef

The consumption of goods and services in the EU is to a large and rapidly growing extent dependent on indirect material extractions taking place outside the EU's territory.

Journal of Economic Structures

The main thrust of Hall's two-page letter is to remind the culture secretary of the growing extent of the BBC's coverage of women's sport.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place the phrase at the beginning of a clause for emphasis or at the end to provide a rhythmic conclusion to a statement.

Common error

Avoid using "to a growing extent" for binary conditions where something either exists or does not. Only use it for phenomena that can vary in intensity or frequency over time. If a condition is simply starting to appear, consider using "becoming more prevalent" instead.

Linguistic Context

In terms of grammatical function, "to a growing extent" acts as an adverbial modifier of degree. It typically modifies a verb, an entire clause or occasionally an adjective to indicate that the action or condition is intensifying over a period. Ludwig AI examples confirm it is often used as a parenthetical insertion to add nuance to a claim about societal or scientific trends.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "to a growing extent" is a robust and sophisticated adverbial phrase used to denote an increasing degree of a phenomenon. Analysis of data provided by Ludwig shows that it is a favorite among professional journalists and scientists for its ability to convey movement and scale with precision. Unlike simpler terms like "increasingly", it provides a rhythmic weight that can help balance complex sentences. Whether you are writing an academic paper on biological features or a news article on economic chaos, this phrase serves as a reliable tool for highlighting trends. It is consistently found in high-authority sources, reflecting its stability and acceptance in standard English. Use it when you want to emphasize that a shift is ongoing and substantial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasingly

A concise one-word adverbial equivalent used for smoother sentence flow.

to an increasing degree

More formal and emphasizes the measurable change in level.

more and more

Less formal and more rhythmic, often used for emphasis in general writing.

to a rising extent

Specifically emphasizes the upward trend of the phenomenon.

progressively

Implies a steady, step-by-step increase rather than just a general growth.

at an accelerating pace

Suggests that the speed of growth itself is increasing over time.

to a widening extent

Suggests the scope or reach is expanding geographically or across demographics.

to a greater and greater degree

Uses repetition to emphasize the ongoing nature of the change.

to some extent

Suggests a static or limited degree rather than a growing one.

expanding scope

Focuses on the breadth of the subject matter rather than the degree of intensity.

FAQs

How do I use "to a growing extent" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an increasing trend, such as: "Modern companies are, "to a growing extent", relying on remote work to attract global talent."

What can I say instead of "to a growing extent"?

You can use alternatives like "increasingly", "to an increasing degree" or "more and more" depending on the formality of your text.

Is "to a growing extent" formal?

Yes, it is a neutral to formal phrase. It is frequently found in academic journals, scientific reports and high-quality news sources like The Economist.

What is the difference between "to a growing extent" and "to some extent"?

While "to some extent" describes a fixed or limited degree, "to a growing extent" explicitly indicates that the degree is expanding or increasing over time.