a slight increase

USAGE SUMMARY

"a slight increase" is correct and suitable for formal written English.
You can use it when you are talking about something that has increased, but only by a small amount. For example, "There was a slight increase in sales this month compared to last."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sunday circulation was 1,395,000, a slight increase from the period a year earlier.

The New York Times

A slight increase overall.

Nature

A slight increase is expected.

The New York Times

A further 13% report a slight increase.

The Guardian

A slight increase to the IRS budget.

The Washington Post

The Dow had a slight increase; the S.& P. dipped.

The New York Times

There was even a slight increase in English and maths.

The Guardian

That is a slight increase from this year's capital spending.

The New York Times

(Its most recent broadcast, though, showed a slight increase).

The New York Times - Arts

The number is a slight increase over 2008.

The New York Times

The treatment produces a slight increase in the surface area.

Carbon

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slight increase", quantify the increase if possible to provide context and clarity. For example, instead of saying "There was a slight increase in sales", specify "There was a slight increase of 2% in sales".

Common error

Avoid using "a slight increase" to describe changes that are, in reality, substantial. This can be misleading and undermine the credibility of your communication. Ensure the adjective "slight" accurately reflects the magnitude of the change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight increase" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for formal English. Examples show it describing changes in various contexts from sales to temperature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

27%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slight increase" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a small positive change. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in formal English. It's frequently found in news and media, scientific publications, and academic writing. When using this phrase, it’s important to ensure that the increase is indeed small and that quantifying the increase adds clarity. Be mindful of avoiding understatement of considerable changes using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a marginal rise

Replaces "increase" with "rise", implying a small upward movement.

a small increment

Uses "increment" instead of "increase", emphasizing a gradual addition.

a modest uptick

Replaces "increase" with "uptick", suggesting a small, often temporary, improvement.

a minor improvement

Focuses on the positive aspect of the change, framing it as an improvement.

a negligible growth

Highlights the insignificance of the increase, emphasizing its small scale.

a fractional augmentation

Uses more formal vocabulary to describe a small increase.

a tad higher

Uses informal language to indicate a slightly elevated level.

a soupçon more

Employs a French term to suggest a very small addition.

a hint of growth

Emphasizes that the change is barely perceptible.

a whisper of expansion

Suggests the increase is so small as to be almost undetectable.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slight increase" to describe a small rise in something, for example, "There was a slight increase in the number of applicants this year."

What are some alternatives to saying "a slight increase"?

Alternatives include "a marginal rise", "a small increment", or "a modest uptick", depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "a slight increase", or are there situations where it's misleading?

It's misleading to use "a slight increase" when the actual increase is significant. Always ensure the adjective "slight" accurately reflects the scale of the change. Using an alternative such as "a significant rise" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "a slight increase" and "a significant increase"?

"A slight increase" indicates a small change, while "a significant increase" suggests a much larger, more noticeable change. The choice depends on the magnitude of the increase being described.