were increasingly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were increasingly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or trend that is growing or becoming more significant over time. Example: "The challenges faced by the team were increasingly evident as the deadline approached."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Exchanges were increasingly short".

The New York Times

"The results were increasingly positive," he said.

The New York Times

Zuckerberg and Sandberg were increasingly concerned.

The New Yorker

Yet business leaders were increasingly hostile.

Independent

Her eyes were increasingly cloudy.

The New York Times - Sports

The television reports were increasingly grim.

The New York Times

The couple's later books were increasingly ridiculed.

The New York Times - Books

The colonel said poisonings were increasingly common.

The New York Times

Anti-terrorist measures were increasingly deemed disproportionate.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

They are increasingly controversial.

The Economist

Campaigns are increasingly expensive.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were increasingly", ensure the context clearly establishes a trend or progression. This phrase works best when the increase or development is gradual and noticeable over a period of time.

Common error

Avoid using "were increasingly" to describe sudden or immediate changes. This phrase implies a gradual process, not an instantaneous event. For example, instead of "The lights were increasingly flickering before suddenly going out", use "The lights flickered and then suddenly went out".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were increasingly" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating the degree to which a certain state or action is intensifying. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to denote a gradual increase in a specific characteristic or condition. For example, "The television reports were increasingly grim".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

15%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were increasingly" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to describe growing trends or intensifying states. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage across varied contexts. It's particularly useful for highlighting a gradual change or development over time, as seen in numerous examples from sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. When writing, it's best to use "were increasingly" to denote a gradual process, avoiding its application to sudden or immediate events. While alternatives like "became progressively" and "grew steadily" exist, they may subtly shift the emphasis depending on the context. With a neutral register, "were increasingly" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing, making it a valuable addition to your writing toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became progressively

Indicates a gradual increase or development over time. This alternative emphasizes the process of change.

intensified steadily

Suggests a gradual increase in strength, force, or effect over time.

grew steadily

Suggests a consistent and reliable increase, highlighting stability in the growth.

became ever more

Emphasizes a continuous increase in a particular quality or characteristic.

mounted steadily

Similar to 'grew steadily' but implies a build-up or accumulation over time.

escalated gradually

Emphasizes a slow and controlled increase, often used when referring to negative situations.

turned progressively

Implies a gradual shift or transformation into a different state.

evolved progressively

Suggests a slow and continuous development, typically applied to complex systems or processes.

expanded steadily

Highlights a continuous and widening increase in size, scope, or quantity.

advanced gradually

Implies forward movement or development in a slow and controlled manner.

FAQs

How can I use "were increasingly" in a sentence?

The phrase "were increasingly" is used to describe a trend or situation that is growing or becoming more significant over time. For example: "The challenges faced by the team "were increasingly" evident as the deadline approached".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "were increasingly"?

You can use alternatives like "became progressively", "grew steadily", or "intensified steadily" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "were increasingly" in formal writing?

Yes, "were increasingly" is suitable for formal writing. It is commonly used in news articles, academic papers, and professional reports to describe gradual changes or trends.

What is the difference between "were increasingly" and "became increasingly"?

While similar, "were increasingly" emphasizes a continuous state of change, whereas "became increasingly" highlights the transition into a new state. The choice depends on whether you want to stress the ongoing nature of the increase or the resulting situation.