In that time there was a gradual consolidation of power into increasingly hierarchical kingdoms.

The battle for VSEL, Britain's only submarine maker, is part of a gradual consolidation in the nation's weapons business.

There was a gradual consolidation of power under the Sho family.

The gradual consolidation of wealth in the party was making it more difficult to preserve the classless, "one nation" appeal to working-class supporters.

The deal between TeleWest and SBC Cablecomms was the biggest so far in a gradual consolidation of the cable business in Britain.

Those changes could lead to some unexpected results, like the gradual consolidation of a legitimate place for the left as a political force in Central America.

On campuses where both fraternities existed time would be given for a gradual consolidation of operations.

Aviation Officer Basic and Advanced Courses began at Fort Rucker in 1984, and a gradual consolidation of aviation-related activities followed.

In contrast with Spain, because of centuries of gradual and mutual consolidation across the Iberian peninsula, such distinctions tend to be blurred.

However, from 2000 onwards there was a gradual consolidation in the sector with many smaller trusts merging to form more regionally based operations.