This writing lesson introduces students to different ways to talk about something that “gradually” or “eventually” happens.
Gradually / Eventually / Sooner or later / At some point / In the end / …end up…
Gradually means that something happens slowly and is not completed immediately. (Can be future tense or past tense.)
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- Athena studied English every day for two years. Gradually, she began to speak more fluently.
- After I broke my leg, I had surgery. Then I began rehabilitation. Gradually, I was able to walk again.
Eventually / Sooner or later / At some point are similar to “gradually.” These words mean that something takes a long time to be completed.
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- The criminal must go to jail for his crime. Eventually, he will get out and return to society.
- You should stop playing video games so much. Sooner or later, they’re going to make you dumb.
- Students have too much pressure these days. At some point, they might just snap and go crazy!
- You can’t just be lazy your whole life. Eventually, you have to get a job and be responsible.
In the end / …end up… is slightly different. This is used to describe what happened in the end. (“…ended up…” should be followed by either an adjective or verb+ing.)
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- Don was addicted to gambling. Eventually, he lost all his money. In the end, his wife left him and he was sad and alone. (He ended up sad and alone.)
- I made the minimum payment on my credit card every month. Gradually, my balance went down. In the end, I paid off my debt, but it took me 50 years! (I ended up paying off my debt.)
- You shouldn’t be so irresponsible. In the end, you’ll regret it. (You’ll end up regretting it.)
Review Worksheet
Rewrite the sentences below, using the transition words.
1. It was very hard to pass the school’s entrance exam. I studied for 6 months, and I passed it!
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2. Joe bought a lottery ticket every day for 20 years. Last week, he won, and now he’s rich!
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3. Because she has cancer, she has slowly gotten thinner and thinner.
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4. If you keep cheating, you’re going to get caught someday.
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5. If I write one page every day, I will finish my book sometime in the future!
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6. Chris practiced drums every day, and after awhile he joined a popular band.
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