gradual
Happening slowly, step by step, often over a long period of time.
writing-task-1writing-task-2speakingEnvironmentUrban development
IELTS use
Describing trends in Task 1; discussing slow changes in Task 2 or Speaking.
Examples
- There has been a gradual decline in the number of people using private cars in the city centre.
- The gradual increase in global temperatures is linked to industrialisation.
Collocations
- gradual shift
- There is a gradual shift towards renewable energy sources.
Word family
- Noun
- gradualness
- Adjective
- gradual
- Adverb
- gradually
Paraphrases
- step-by-step: More informal, suitable for speaking.
- slow but steady: Implies persistence over time.
Common mistakes
- gradual improvement happens quickly to gradual improvement happens slowly. 'Gradual' implies slow change; avoid contradictory descriptions.
- a gradual up to a gradual increase/upward trend. 'Gradual' is an adjective; needs a noun to modify.