What is gradually? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "gradually" in English. It essentially means "slowly" or "step by step." Here's a detailed explanation with examples:

1. Core Meaning: Slow and Steady

• Definition: Gradually means to increase, decrease, or change slowly and steadily over a period of time. It implies a process that unfolds without sudden jumps.

2. How to Use It – Grammatical Considerations

• Adverb: “Gradually” is almost always used as an adverb. This means it modifies verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.
• Placement: It typically goes after the verb or adjective it describes.

3. Examples – Showing Increase

• “The river gradually grew wider as it flowed downstream.” (The width increased slowly.)
• “Her understanding of the subject gradually increased over the semester.” (Her knowledge improved slowly.)
• “The price of the house gradually rose over the years.” (The price went up slowly.)
• “The patient’s fever gradually subsided.” (The fever decreased slowly.)

4. Examples – Showing Decrease

• “The snow gradually melted in the spring sunshine.” (The snow disappeared slowly.)
• “He gradually lost weight after starting a healthier diet.” (He lost weight slowly.)
• “The crowd gradually dispersed after the concert ended.” (The crowd moved away slowly.)

5. Examples – Describing Processes

• “She gradually learned to play the guitar.” (The learning process happened step by step, not all at once.)
• “The company gradually shifted its focus to sustainable practices.” (The change happened over time.)
• “He gradually developed a fear of heights.” (The fear grew slowly.)

6. Phrases with “Gradually”

• “Gradually, I began to understand…” (Expressing a slow understanding)
• “Gradually, the rain stopped.” (Indicating a slow change in weather)
• “He gradually came to accept the decision.” (Showing a slow process of acceptance)

7. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings)

• Slowly
• Steadily
• Gradually
• Incrementally
• Slowly but surely

8. Distinguishing from “Immediately” or “Suddenly”

“Gradually” is the opposite of words like “immediately” (right away) or “suddenly” (unexpectedly).

• Incorrect: “The sunlight eventually gradually appeared.” (Better: "The sunlight eventually appeared.")
• Correct: “The sunlight gradually appeared after the clouds parted.”

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• What are you trying to write about? (e.g., describing a process, an event, a feeling, etc.)
• Can you give me a sentence you're struggling with where you want to use "gradually"?