I see it day by day vs Slowly

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

I see it day by day

Top 2,000 (common)

Slowly

Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
Most common: Slowly
 I see it day by daySlowly
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //aɪ siː ɪt deɪ baɪ deɪ//🇺🇸 //aɪ si ɪt deɪ baɪ deɪ//🇬🇧 /["/ˈsləʊli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsləʊli/"]/
MeaningI notice it every day.Not quickly; at a low speed.
ExampleI see it day by day; the flowers are blooming more brightly.to **move/walk/turn slowly**
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level-A2
Part of speechadverb
Collocationssee it day by day, notice changes day by day, improve day by daymove slowly, speak slowly, walk slowly, grow slowly, eat slowly
Antonyms-quickly, rapidly
Common mistakesMisunderstanding it as a fixed phrase instead of a flexible expression., Confusing it with 'day in and day out', which means continuously.Using 'slow' instead of 'slowly' as an adverb., Confusing 'slowly' with 'slowlily' which is incorrect., Misplacing 'slowly' in the sentence, causing awkward sentences.
Usage notesCommonly used to express gradual change or realization over time. Suitable in both spoken and written contexts.Use 'slowly' when describing actions done at a slow pace. It's neutral, so it's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. Avoid using it in overly fast-paced or urgent discussions.

See it in real clips

I see it day by day
Slowly

Frequently asked questions: I see it day by day vs Slowly

What's the difference between I see it day by day and Slowly?

I see it day by day: I notice it every day. Slowly: Not quickly; at a low speed.

Which is more common: I see it day by day and Slowly?

Slowly is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

I see it day by day: I see it day by day; the flowers are blooming more brightly. Slowly: to **move/walk/turn slowly**

Can I use I see it day by day and Slowly interchangeably?

Not always. I see it day by day and 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.

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