very incremental

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very incremental" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small but significant change or progress. Example: The company's success has been very incremental, with each year showing only a slight increase in profits, but overall it has led to significant growth over time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"There is," he said, "very incremental improvement over the years".

The New York Times

"I had put together a plan, but it was very incremental," Dr. Newman recalled.

The New York Times

"There have been efforts in the past, but they've been very incremental.

The New York Times

But, by the standards of the outside world, not party to those institutional rhythms, it seems very incremental and conservative".

The New Yorker

"Typically what you have seen in a Palm upgrade has been very incremental," said John Cook, senior director for consumer product marketing at the company.

The New York Times - Tech

"I think that's going to increase, but it's very incremental," said Dr. Mayer, who believes PrEP is an important new weapon in the H.I.V. prevention arsenal.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"There is very little incremental cost to adding a fixed sponsor".

The New York Times

If they were to do that, it could strengthen their brand image and network at very little incremental cost.

The New York Times

"Are you looking simply to replace George Bush and otherwise tweak the system and continue on a process of very modest incremental change?

The New York Times

Lorre believes that the "magic trick" of the traditional sitcom is that "the characters make very small, incremental progress without ever really changing".

The New Yorker

"To think that somehow or other we would jeopardize investor relationships and customer relationships for the very small incremental income we would receive by delaying seems ludicrous," said Robert V. James, the bank's senior vice president for mortgage operations and insurance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very incremental" when you want to emphasize that changes are happening slowly and in small steps, but are still meaningful over time. This is especially useful when discussing progress in fields like technology, medicine, or social change.

Common error

Avoid using "very incremental" to describe something that has undergone a major or rapid transformation. This phrase is best suited for situations where the progress is subtle and gradual, not sudden or revolutionary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very incremental" functions as an adjective phrase used to modify a noun, emphasizing that the changes or progress being described are happening in small, gradual steps. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very incremental" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that describes something progressing gradually, in small steps. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, it serves to highlight the subtle nature of change, setting realistic expectations. While alternatives like "slightly progressive" exist, "very incremental" is useful when you want to emphasize how slow and steady the change is. The key is to avoid overstating the impact and use it to describe something subtle.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly progressive

Emphasizes a minimal degree of advancement or development.

gradual and minor

Highlights the slowness and insignificance of the change.

marginally increasing

Focuses on the small amount of growth or augmentation.

slow and steady

Indicates a consistent but unhurried pace of development.

little by little

Highlights a step-by-step progression.

modestly progressive

Emphasizes a restrained level of progress.

incrementally small

Inverts the order but keeps the meaning related to small increments.

slightly advancing

Highlights a slow forward movement.

mildly progressive

Highlights the restrained advancement.

by degrees

Implies that something happens in stages.

FAQs

How can I use "very incremental" in a sentence?

You can use "very incremental" to describe progress that is slow and gradual. For example, "The improvements in fuel efficiency have been "very incremental" over the past decade".

What are some alternatives to "very incremental"?

Alternatives to "very incremental" include "slightly progressive", "gradual and minor", or "marginally increasing" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "very incremental" or "slightly incremental"?

"Very incremental" and "slightly incremental" both suggest a small degree of change, but "very incremental" might emphasize the slowness or smallness of the steps even more. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "incremental" and "very incremental"?

"Incremental" suggests a gradual change or addition. Adding "very" emphasizes the minimal nature of that change. Something that is "very incremental" progresses in exceptionally small steps.