Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
a one SD increase
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "a one SD increase" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to statistics, research, or data analysis when discussing standard deviations and their impact on a variable. Example: "The results indicate that a one SD increase in test scores is associated with a significant improvement in overall performance."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
Alternative expressions(2)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
25 human-written examples
After controlling for other possible determinants of iron status, a one SD increase above the mean on the "meat and vegetable" dietary pattern reduced the odds of suboptimal iron status by 79.0% (OR 0.21) in women who had children.
Having examined the relationship between birth weight and pQCT parameters of the mid-tibia, we observed a moderate positive association with PC at age 15.5 years, with a one SD increase in birth weight associated with approximately a 0.22 SD increase in PC.
Science
Expressed as z scores, associations between physical activity and adiposity measures (especially sum of skinfold thicknesses) were particularly strong, with a one SD increase in activity counts per min associated with a decline of about one-quarter of a SD in adiposity outcome.
Science
A one SD increase in temperature (approximately 6 °C) was associated with a 42.3% decrease in lying observations on the inner solid area, while the percentage of elimination on the solid floor increased (urination: 75.8%; defecation: 139.5%).
We find that a one SD increase in numeracy skills is associated with an increase in wages of 20% in the pooled country sample.
However, estimates of the effect of a one SD increase in skills are very similar in columns (a) and (b), but somewhat inflated in columns (c), as expected given arguments in von Davier et al. ([2009]).
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
35 human-written examples
A-SAA concentrations were significantly associated with incident type 2 diabetes (odds ratio [OR] for a one-SD increase of A-SAA adjusted for age and sex = 1.28 [95% CI 1.08 1.53], P = 0.005), particularly in younger subjects (P value for interaction = 0.047).
Science
In the Framingham Heart Study, a one SD increment in arterial stiffness was associated with a 48% increase in arterial disease risk, independently of individual vascular risk factors [ 23].
Science
In the current instance, our computer model was significantly correlated with the presence of deleterious mutations in BRCA1/2, conferring a two-fold increase in the likelihood of being a mutation carrier, per one SD increase in the probability score.
Science
Thus, the estimates of these models (figures 2 and 3) can be interpreted as the increased (or decreased) risk of a health outcome with every one SD increase of AHI.
Science
After adjustment for potential confounders, PFOA and PFHxS were associated with a 11 and 9% reduction in fecundability per one SD increase (FOR = 0.89; 95% CI 0.83 0.94; P < 0.001 for PFOA and FOR = 0.91; 95% CI 0.86 0.97; P = 0.002 for PFHxS), while no significant association was observed for PFOS (FOR = 0.96; 95% CI 0.91 1.02; P = 0.17).
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "a one SD increase", ensure you clearly define the variable to which the standard deviation applies to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify 'a one SD increase in income' rather than just 'a one SD increase'.
Common error
Avoid assuming that "a one SD increase" represents the same absolute change across different populations or datasets. The standard deviation is relative to the data it describes, so its real-world impact varies.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "a one SD increase" functions primarily as a quantifier, specifying a change or difference in terms of standard deviation. This usage is evident in the Ludwig examples, where it modifies variables like temperature, birth weight, and wages.
Frequent in
Science
100%
Less common in
News & Media
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "a one SD increase" is a standard phrase in scientific and statistical contexts, used to express the magnitude of change relative to the standard deviation of a dataset. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent use in science. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, it is important to provide context and clarity about the specific variable to which it applies. Consider alternatives like "a one standard deviation increase" for greater explicitness. Understanding the specific context of each occurrence in order to prevent misinterpretations of the real impact of a single standard deviation is also important.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
a one standard deviation increase
Replaces "SD" with its full form, "standard deviation", for clarity.
an increase of one standard deviation
Changes the structure to emphasize the increase itself.
a rise of one SD
Substitutes "increase" with "rise", a more concise synonym.
one SD increment
Replaces "increase" with "increment", focusing on the step-wise change.
a single standard deviation increase
Adds "single" for emphasis on the magnitude of the change.
an elevation of one SD
Uses "elevation" to mean an upward shift in the data.
a growth of one standard deviation
Employs "growth" to convey a positive change.
an expansion of one SD
Highlights the expansion or widening effect due to the increase.
one standard deviation gain
Focuses on the "gain" achieved through the increase.
a positive shift of one SD
Adds "positive shift" to explicitly state the direction of the change.
FAQs
What does "a one SD increase" mean?
It refers to a change equivalent to one standard deviation unit in a dataset. It's used to quantify the spread or variability around the mean.
How do I interpret the impact of "a one SD increase" in research?
The significance of "a one SD increase" depends on the context and the variable being studied. A large effect size indicates a strong relationship, while a small effect may be less meaningful.
Is it better to use "a one SD increase" or "a one standard deviation increase"?
Both are correct, but "a one standard deviation increase" is more explicit. Use the full phrase when clarity is crucial, and "a one SD increase" in contexts where the audience understands the abbreviation.
Can I say something different from "a one SD increase"?
Yes, you can use alternatives like "a one standard deviation increase" or "an increase of one standard deviation" depending on the desired level of formality and the context.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested