a minor increase

USAGE SUMMARY

"a minor increase" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a small increase in size, number, or amount. Example sentence: The company saw a minor increase in profits this year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The study predicts a minor increase in air fares for domestic business travel next year.

The New York Times

Many people fear that even a minor increase in international migration will wreck their own economies and societies.

The Guardian

Despite a minor increase in the life expectancy for both men and women, rates of chronic disease remain unchanged.

The Guardian - Opinion

Only a nation of cowards would buy a minor increase in personal safety by establishing a vast system of federal government surveillance.

The New York Times

"I wouldn't say it's been a huge rise, but there's been a minor increase each year in concussions and similar head injuries," Halpen said in a telephone interview.

The New York Times - Sports

In the scenario run Tmin, there is a minor increase of +0.9°C on average.

Environmental Sciences Europe

The TOC has a minor increase first and then decreases substantially until a balance is reached.

Petroleum Science

The average numeric values suggested a minor increase, but this was not statistically significant.

Applied Petrochemical Research

There was also a minor increase (0.2 °C) in mean May through September temperature.

Carbon Balance and Management

The results indicated only a minor increase in load during the extraction of the longwall panel.

International Journal of Mining Science and Technology

Serum antibody levels against AAV2 vector exhibited a minor increase after infusion.

Experimental Neurology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a minor increase", quantify the increase with specific numbers or percentages whenever possible to provide more clarity and context for your reader.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the significance of "a minor increase". Be sure to use language that accurately reflects the small scale of the change and avoid implying that the change is more impactful than it is.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor increase" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a situation where there is a small augmentation. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

58%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a minor increase" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a slight rise in quantity, value, or degree. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's readily usable in written English. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related contexts, it serves to present factual information objectively. To ensure clarity, it's advisable to quantify this increase with specific data. Related phrases, such as "a slight increase" or "a small increase", offer interchangeable options, while it's important to avoid exaggerating the implications of such a modest change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight increase

Emphasizes the small degree of the increase, focusing on its subtlety.

a small increase

Highlights the limited size of the increase.

a marginal increase

Indicates that the increase is barely noticeable or significant.

a modest increase

Suggests the increase is moderate and not extreme.

a fractional increase

Implies the increase is just a small fraction of the original amount.

a limited increase

Highlights the restricted nature of the increase.

a negligible increase

Suggests the increase is so small it's almost not worth considering.

a trivial increase

Similar to 'negligible', implying the increase is unimportant.

a tad more

An informal way to express a slight increase.

a bit more

Another informal way to indicate a small increase.

FAQs

How can I use "a minor increase" in a sentence?

You can use "a minor increase" to describe a slight rise in quantity, value, or degree. For example, "The company experienced "a minor increase" in sales this quarter."

What are some alternatives to "a minor increase"?

Alternatives to "a minor increase" include "a slight increase", "a small increase", or "a marginal increase", depending on the degree of change you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a minor increase" or "a slight increase"?

Both "a minor increase" and "a slight increase" are correct. The choice depends on the specific context and your preference for emphasis. They are largely interchangeable.

What does "a minor increase" typically refer to?

"A minor increase" usually refers to a small, often insignificant, rise in something measurable, like statistics, prices, or quantities. It suggests that the change is not substantial.