sharply size + speed

adjective: sharp

prices rose sharply

there was a sharp rise in prices

Takes: rise, fall, drop, increase, decrease

steadily smoothness

adjective: steady

output grew steadily

a steady increase in output

✗ never with fluctuate

gradually speed

adjective: gradual

numbers fell gradually

a gradual fall in numbers

✗ never with surge or plummet

marginally size — smallest

adjective: marginal

the figure dropped marginally

a marginal drop in the figure

✗ the classic error with plummet

dramatically size — largest

adjective: dramatic

sales rose dramatically

a dramatic increase in sales

✗ ~~a dramatically increase~~

slightly size — small

adjective: slight

the rate rose slightly

a slight rise in the rate

Slightly larger than marginally

considerably size — large

adjective: considerable

demand grew considerably

a considerable increase in demand

Says nothing about speed

abruptly speed

adjective: abrupt

the trend reversed abruptly

an abrupt reversal in the trend

Says nothing about size

Learn both forms of every card. Alternating between them is the flexibility the Band 7 descriptor asks for — and it costs you no new vocabulary.

Sharply, Steadily, Marginally