Meaning & use
slowly but surely
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Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
gradually and with certainty, so that progress is steady even if it seems slow
Grammar: Used as an adverb phrase, often before a verb or at the end of a clause.
Patterns
- slowly but surely, someone does something
- something happens slowly but surely
Slowly but surely, she is learning to speak Japanese.
The broken bridge is being repaired slowly but surely.
He is recovering from the injury slowly but surely.
Common combinations
- slowly but surely improve
- Her grades are slowly but surely improving.
- slowly but surely get better
- The patient is slowly but surely getting better.
- slowly but surely build
- They are slowly but surely building a new life.
- slowly but surely change
- Attitudes are slowly but surely changing.
Synonyms and how they differ
- gradually
- Focuses on the small steps of change, but does not emphasize the certainty of the result.
- step by step
- Emphasizes a clear sequence of stages, not just the slow pace.
- little by little
- Similar meaning but often suggests smaller amounts at a time, without the idea of eventual success.
Opposites
Commonly confused: slowly but surely or slowly but steady?
slowly but surely vs slowly but steady
This is not the standard phrase. Use 'slowly but surely' with an -ly adverb.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'slowly but surely' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The phrase 'slowly but surely' is a fixed adverbial phrase that usually comes after the verb or at the end of the clause. Option 0 places it before the verb, which is possible but less common and sounds awkward here; option 2 changes 'but' to 'and', which loses the contrast; option 3 uses 'slow' instead of the adverb 'slowly'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “slowly but surely”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.