understand gradually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "understand gradually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a process of learning or comprehension that occurs over time rather than all at once. Example: "As I read the book, I began to understand gradually the complexities of the characters' motivations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is hoped that the real genetic regulatory network can be understood gradually by the research of such network motifs.

Advances in Difference Equations

Let all understand it gradually.

WikiHow

The New York Times obituary tradition has, I understand, evolved more gradually.

The New York Times

Two separate tales are told, and we gradually understand how they converge.

The New Yorker

I'm very slow and stupid, so I only gradually understand what's going on".

The Guardian - Music

Forced together, they gradually understand more about each other, themselves and cultural expectations of manhood.

The Guardian

These annotations make expert thinking visible and allow the novice to immediately use, and gradually understand, new best practices.

University of California, Berkeley

DoubleClick's president, Kevin Ryan, said yesterday that the Internet community and users would gradually understand that the company was committed to respecting consumers' privacy over the long term.

The New York Times

You have to gradually understand it but it's art, and art is something some people have and some people don't.

The Guardian - Books

This, we gradually understand, is because he has been travelling from his future to her past, and in that past they fell in love, so he hasn't yet met her in his own present.

The Guardian - Books

"Our idea was that we wanted people to gradually understand the ins and outs of the slave trade and especially the fate of the people on board the Leusden," said Remmelt Daalder, a senior curator at the Scheepvaart Museum.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "understand gradually" when you want to emphasize that comprehension is not immediate but occurs over a period of time. This can be particularly effective when describing complex processes or abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "understand gradually" when describing situations where understanding should be instantaneous. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "understand gradually" functions as a verb phrase, where "understand" is the main verb and "gradually" is an adverb modifying the verb. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "understand gradually" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a progressive comprehension process. Ludwig AI confirms it is appropriate for use in written English. The phrase appears across various contexts, including news, science, and business, maintaining a neutral register. Related phrases, such as "slowly come to understand" or "gradually come to realize", offer subtle variations in meaning, allowing for more precise expression. When using "understand gradually", ensure that the context genuinely reflects a process of developing understanding over time, avoiding its use in situations where comprehension should be immediate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slowly come to understand

Emphasizes the slowness and eventual arrival at understanding.

gradually come to realize

Shifts the focus from understanding to realization, implying a change in awareness.

develop an understanding over time

Highlights the temporal aspect of developing comprehension.

gain a progressive understanding

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge in stages.

incrementally grasp

Uses "grasp" to mean understand, emphasizing a step-by-step process.

slowly dawn on

Suggests a gradual awakening of understanding.

learn bit by bit

A more informal way of expressing gradual learning.

piece together understanding

Implies constructing understanding from smaller components.

assimilate knowledge progressively

Focuses on the integration of knowledge over time.

unfold understanding over time

Presents understanding as something that reveals itself gradually.

FAQs

How can I use "understand gradually" in a sentence?

You can use "understand gradually" to describe a process where comprehension occurs over time, such as "As I studied the data, I began to "understand gradually" the underlying trends".

What are some alternatives to "understand gradually"?

Some alternatives to "understand gradually" include "slowly come to understand", "gradually come to realize", or "develop an understanding over time", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "understand gradually" or "gradually understand"?

Both "understand gradually" and "gradually understand" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often depends on stylistic preference or the rhythm of the sentence.

What is the difference between "understand gradually" and "learn gradually"?

"Understand gradually" focuses on the process of comprehension, while "learn gradually" emphasizes the acquisition of knowledge or skills over time. While related, the former is about grasping something, and the latter is about acquiring knowledge.