Allmählicher

Allmählicher is the comparative form of the German adjective allmählich, meaning more gradual or slower in development. It is used to compare degrees of gradualness between processes, changes, or trends. The base form allmählich describes something that happens gradually; allmählicher refers to a higher degree of gradualness. A related noun is Allmählichkeit, which denotes gradualness or gradual change, though it is relatively uncommon in everyday language.

Usage and morphology: Allmählicher is declined like other adjectives in attributive position, matching gender, number, and case of the noun it modifies. Examples include: ein allmählicher Prozess (a gradual process), eine allmählichere Veränderung (a more gradual change), der allmählichere Wandel (the more gradual change). In plural: allmählichere Veränderungen. In predicative use, the adjective can appear as der Wandel wird allmählicher (the change is becoming more gradual). Adverbial use remains allmählich, not allmählicher.

Nuance and context: Allmählicher emphasizes a comparatively slower or steadier pace of change than another reference point. It is common in formal, scientific, or analytical writing to describe progress, policy shifts, or trends, whereas everyday speech more often uses allmählich or other descriptors like schrittweise or langsam.

Related terms: allmählich (gradual, gradually), Allmählichkeit (the quality of being gradual), and synonyms such as schrittweise or langsam in contexts emphasizing tempo rather than degree.