Cool MateGradually vs Very slowly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Gradually
Top 1,000 (very common)B2adverb
Very slowly
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Gradually
| Gradually | Very slowly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɡrædʒuəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɡrædʒuəli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈvɛri ˈsləʊli//🇺🇸 //ˈvɛri ˈsloʊli// |
| Meaning | slowly over time | Doing something at a very slow speed. |
| Example | to **gradually increase/decrease** | She walked very slowly to enjoy the beautiful scenery. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | gradually improve, gradually increase, gradually change, gradually develop | move very slowly, speak very slowly, perform very slowly |
| Antonyms | suddenly, abruptly | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'gradually' with a noun instead of a verb., Confusing 'gradually' with 'suddenly', which means quickly., Incorrect placement in a sentence, such as 'gradually I will go' instead of 'I will gradually go.' | Using 'slow' instead of 'slowly' as an adverb., Placing 'very' in the wrong position, like 'slowly very'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'gradually' when describing changes that happen slowly. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English but may sound too formal in casual conversations. | Use 'very slowly' to emphasize deliberate actions. It is appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, but avoid in casual conversations where shorter phrases may suffice. |
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Frequently asked questions: Gradually vs Very slowly
What's the difference between Gradually and Very slowly?
Gradually: slowly over time Very slowly: Doing something at a very slow speed.
Which is more common: Gradually and Very slowly?
Gradually is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Gradually: to **gradually increase/decrease** Very slowly: She walked very slowly to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Can I use Gradually and Very slowly interchangeably?
Not always. Gradually and Very slowly are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.