a steady increase

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a steady increase' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a gradual, continuous increase in the amount or level of something. For example: The number of internet users has seen a steady increase over the past decade.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have a steady increase of about 3percentt a year over the past six years".

The New York Times

This grander structure reflected a steady increase in intensity.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Every year we have seen a steady increase.

The Guardian

Growing consolidation reflects a steady increase in mergers and acquisitions.

Harvard Business Review

Yet, despite budget stagnation, there has been a steady increase in the production of digital content.

Cornell University

"There's been a steady increase in standardized test scores for years.

The New York Times

Then you will see a steady increase in the retail prices".

The New York Times

There has been a steady increase in cases with a multijurisdictional aspect.

The Guardian - Opinion

She has seen a steady increase in cases in the past few years.

The Guardian

But he added that he expected "a steady increase in activity".

The New York Times

There's been a steady increase in the number of complaints," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends, use "a steady increase" to convey a sense of consistent growth without significant fluctuations. For example, "The company reported a steady increase in sales throughout the year."

Common error

Avoid using "a steady increase" when you actually mean a stable or unchanging state. "Steady" in this context refers to the consistency of the increase, not the lack of change. For example, don't say "The temperature experienced a steady increase, remaining constant at 25 degrees"—this is contradictory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a steady increase" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a process or trend of gradual and consistent growth. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

22%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a steady increase" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe a gradual and consistent growth trend. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse sources—including news media, academic research, and business reports—make it a reliable choice for various writing contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you are referring to consistent growth rather than a static condition. Consider related phrases like "a gradual increase" or "a continuous increase" to refine your message. By understanding its function, purpose, and common usage patterns, you can effectively integrate "a steady increase" into your writing to convey a sense of consistent progression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a steady rise

Replaces the noun "increase" with "rise", keeping the meaning virtually identical.

a gradual increase

Synonymous, but it focuses on the slow pace of the augmentation.

a constant increase

Suggests an increase that happens at an unchanging rate, implying more rigidity than "a steady increase".

a continuous increase

Focuses on the uninterrupted nature of the increase, whereas "a steady increase" implies stability in the rate.

a persistent increase

Emphasizes the unwavering nature of the increase over time.

a continual increase

Similar to "a continuous increase" but might suggest that there are small pauses in between.

a strong increase

Emphasizes the intensity or magnitude of the increase compared to "a steady increase".

a regular increase

Implies that the increase follows a predictable pattern.

a solid increase

Suggests that the increase is reliable and well-founded.

an incremental increase

Highlights that the increase is happening in small steps or increments.

FAQs

How do I use "a steady increase" in a sentence?

You can use "a steady increase" to describe a situation where something is gradually growing or rising consistently over time. For example, "There has been a steady increase in the number of students applying to the university" or "The company has seen a steady increase in its profits since the new marketing campaign was launched".

What can I say instead of "a steady increase"?

You can use alternatives like "a gradual increase", "a continuous increase", or "a consistent rise" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "a steady increase" or "an steady increase"?

"A steady increase" is correct. The article "a" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound, while "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound. Since "steady" begins with the consonant sound /st/, "a steady increase" is grammatically correct.

Is "steady increase" formal or informal?

The phrase "steady increase" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness largely depends on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing or speech. It is commonly used in news reports, academic papers, and business communications.