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 day | Slowly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //aɪ siː ɪt deɪ baɪ deɪ//🇺🇸 //aɪ si ɪt deɪ baɪ deɪ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsləʊli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsləʊli/"]/ |
| Meaning | I notice it every day. | Not quickly; at a low speed. |
| Example | I see it day by day; the flowers are blooming more brightly. | to **move/walk/turn slowly** |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | see it day by day, notice changes day by day, improve day by day | move slowly, speak slowly, walk slowly, grow slowly, eat slowly |
| Antonyms | - | quickly, rapidly |
| Common mistakes | Misunderstanding 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 notes | Commonly 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. |
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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.