a small increase of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small increase of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a minor rise or growth in a particular quantity or measurement. Example: "There was a small increase of 5% in sales this quarter compared to the last."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On March 22 Johnson approved only a small increase of troops.

Encyclopedia Britannica

During 2009, Mr. Jaimes said, there was a small increase of 2 to 3 percent in values.

The New York Times

Between 1971 and 2001 the number of people decreased from 14.7 to 14.3 million, followed by a small increase of 762,000 this century.

The Guardian

Unison said that it was outraged and that local government staff had endured a devastating three-year pay freeze and a small increase of 1% last year.

The Guardian

The researchers did see a small increase of mental problems in children born after their mothers had ovarian stimulation followed by intrauterine sperm injection.

The Guardian

The government reported Thursday that weekly unemployment claims rose to 434,000 — a small increase of 1,000 over the previous week, beating expectations.

The New York Times

Business majors saw a small increase of less than 1%.

Forbes

G′ was always larger than G″ with a small increase of both moduli with frequency.

Journal of Cereal Science

Efficient warning strategies will have a positive effect on safety, and result in a small increase of penetration rate.

European Transport Research Review

It corresponds to a small increase of relative [O]/[Sn] concentration after TDS process, as evidenced from XPS measurements.

Nanoscale Research Letters

FS 1.0 based on GPS and LIDAR had a small increase of alignment error to GPS compared to FS 2.0.

ROBOMECH Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small increase of", ensure the context clearly defines what is increasing and the units of measurement involved. This adds precision and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a small increase of" when the actual increase is significant or impactful. Overstating or understating the scale can mislead your audience and weaken your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small increase of" functions as a modifier followed by a noun, describing a minor change or growth. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English. It typically precedes a noun phrase specifying the entity experiencing the increase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a small increase of" is a versatile expression used to denote a minor rise or growth, particularly effective when precision is needed in quantifying changes. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various domains. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse writing styles. When using this phrase, clarity in specifying the subject and units of increase is crucial, and it's equally important to avoid misrepresenting the scale of the change. Alternatives such as "a slight rise in" or "a minor uptick in" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight rise in

Emphasizes the upward direction of the change.

a minor uptick in

Suggests a small, often temporary, increase.

a marginal growth of

Highlights the gradual and limited nature of the increase.

a modest increment to

Indicates a restrained and unremarkable increase.

a negligible addition of

Underlines the insignificance of the increase.

a limited expansion of

Focuses on the restricted extent of the increase.

a fractional augmentation of

Stresses that the increase is only a small portion of the total.

a diminutive escalation in

Highlights the minimal and gradual aspect of the increase.

a trace enhancement of

Implies the increase is barely perceptible.

an almost imperceptible gain in

Stresses how the increase is so small it's hard to notice.

FAQs

How can I use "a small increase of" in a sentence?

You can use "a small increase of" to describe a minor rise or growth in a particular quantity or measurement, for example: "There was "a small increase of" 2% in sales this quarter".

What are some alternatives to "a small increase of"?

You can use alternatives like "a slight rise in", "a minor uptick in", or "a marginal growth of" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "a small increase in" or "a small increase of"?

While both "a small increase in" and ""a small increase of"" are grammatically correct, "a small increase in" is generally more common and often preferred for its conciseness.

When should I use "a small increase of" instead of another similar phrase?

Use ""a small increase of"" when you want to specifically emphasize that the increase is limited in magnitude and you want to highlight what the increase is of, focusing on the substance or item that is growing.