incrementally
incrementally — adverb
1. done by adding or changing things through a planned series of small steps, rathe
done by adding or changing things through a planned series of small steps, rather than making one big change all at once.
The developer updated the app incrementally, releasing a new version every two weeks.
modifies 'updated': staged release cycle
Chiara learned French incrementally, starting with basic greetings before moving on to complex sentences.
modifies 'learned': staged language acquisition
The company expanded its services incrementally, entering one new city at a time.
Bao's fitness improved incrementally with each extra half kilometer added to the weekly run.
The team rolled out the new policy incrementally across all departments over six months.
- gradually
broader — can describe any slow change over time, not necessarily in planned stages
- step by step
more informal; emphasizes the individual stages more clearly
- suddenly
describes something happening all at once rather than in stages
文法句型
Verb + incrementally
incrementally + Verb
用法筆記
Commonly pairs with verbs describing processes of change, improvement, or expansion — such as update, improve, expand, implement, release.
常見錯誤
2. by changes so small that each individual shift is barely noticeable, building up
by changes so small that each individual shift is barely noticeable, building up over time without a planned sequence of distinct stages.
Sales increased incrementally, rising by just 0.3% each month that quarter.
modifies 'increased': very small percentage change
The temperature dropped incrementally throughout the night, falling one degree per hour.
Noa adjusted the brightness incrementally until the screen felt comfortable to look at.
Eri watched the savings grow incrementally with each small deposit made.
The mechanic adjusted the engine timing incrementally until it ran smoothly.
- slightly
common; focuses on the small degree of change without implying repetition
- bit by bit
more informal; emphasizes the small individual amounts
- dramatically
describes a large, noticeable change
文法句型
Verb + incrementally
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (IN STAGES), this sense does not imply a deliberate sequence of planned steps — it simply focuses on the small size of each individual change.
incrementally — adjective
- incrementallypositive
- more incrementallycomparative
- most incrementallysuperlative
1. happening or achieved in a series of small, gradual amounts or stages — for exam
happening or achieved in a series of small, gradual amounts or stages — for example, incremental progress on a long-term project or incremental changes to a system.
The study group celebrated incremental improvements in their weekly quiz scores over the semester.
attributive use: 'incremental improvements'
The physical therapist noted incremental gains in Mrs. Chen's walking distance after each session.
The company focused on incremental growth rather than trying to double its sales overnight.
Incremental changes to the recipe led to a noticeably better flavor after several tries.
The engineering team's approach relied on small incremental steps rather than a complete system redesign.
- gradual
more common and general; emphasizes slowness over time rather than discrete steps
- step-by-step
more informal; emphasizes the distinct stages
文法句型
incremental + noun
用法筆記
Typically used before a noun to describe the nature of the progress, change, or growth. Common in business, technology, and medical contexts.