gradual

gradual — 形容詞

1. unfolding through many small steps across an extended stretch of time, rather th

1.形容詞B1
釋義

逐漸的

緩慢而穩定地改變

unfolding through many small steps across an extended stretch of time, rather than happening in a single moment.

例句

The medical team reported a gradual improvement in the patient's lung function.

醫療團隊回報患者的肺功能有逐漸改善的跡象。

gradual + improvement

There has been a gradual shift in public opinion about recycling and plastic waste.

大眾對於回收和塑膠廢棄物的看法逐漸轉變。

同義詞
  • progressive

    emphasises forward movement through clear stages; more formal than 'gradual'

  • incremental

    focuses on small, step-by-step additions; common in business and finance

  • slow

    simpler and less specific; can imply delay rather than steady change

反義詞
  • sudden

    describes an event that happens without warning and all at once

  • abrupt

    describes a change that is so quick it seems rude or jarring

文法句型

gradual + noun (change, increase, decline, improvement)

be + gradual (e.g. the process was gradual)

用法筆記

Often describes change, development, or processes. The noun that follows 'gradual' names what is changing — for example, increase, decline, recovery, shift, or improvement. Not used for sudden events.

常見錯誤

❌There was a gradual sudden drop in temperature.
✅There was a gradual drop in temperature.
💡'gradual' and 'sudden' contradict each other; use only one.
❌I made a gradual cake.
✅I baked the cake gradually, adding ingredients one at a time.
💡'gradual' describes a process, not an object.

2. having a slope that rises or falls at a low angle, so that walking or moving up

2.形容詞B2
釋義

平緩的

坡度不大，和緩好走

having a slope that rises or falls at a low angle, so that walking or moving up it does not require much effort.

例句

The hiking trail follows a gradual slope to the mountain hut, suitable for beginners.

那條登山步道沿著平緩的斜坡通往山屋，適合初學者。

gradual slope

Engineers designed a gradual incline so that wheelchairs could move up without help from others.

工程師設計了平緩的斜坡，讓輪椅使用者不需要他人協助即可通行。

gradual incline

同義詞
  • gentle

    less formal and more common in everyday speech; suggests an easy, comfortable slope

  • moderate

    focuses on the slope being neither steep nor flat; more technical in surveying

  • shallow

    suggests a very low angle; often used for stairs or steps

反義詞
  • steep

    describes a sharp slope that is hard to climb

  • sheer

    describes an almost vertical drop; much stronger than 'steep'

文法句型

gradual + slope / incline / gradient / rise

be + gradual (e.g. the slope was gradual)

用法筆記

Used only for physical slopes, gradients, and land surfaces — not for figurative or abstract concepts. When describing a road, path, or piece of land, 'gentle' is an informal synonym.

常見錯誤

❌He made a gradual improvement in his running.
✅The running track has a gradual slope.
💡sense 2 is only for physical gradients, not for progress or improvement.

gradual — 名詞