a steep increase

USAGE SUMMARY

"a steep increase" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a significant rise in some statistic or measure that has occurred in a relatively short period of time. For example, "There has been a steep increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in the last two weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

American patriotism saw a steep increase after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and at the beginning of the Iraq war.

Vice

Adding to the government's troubles is a steep increase in terrorist attacks.

The New York Times

That represented a steep increase from the rate of 19.5 last August.

The New York Times

The other difference in post-Gaddafi Libya was a steep increase in racism toward black Africans and Christians, he said.

The Guardian

The immediate effect is likely to be a steep increase in oil prices, benefiting Russia's oil-driven economy.

The New York Times

American officials are particularly concerned that a steep increase in oil prices could push a weakened economy into recession.

The New York Times

By rapidly increasing retail charges for procedures often covered by Medicare, St. Barnabas got a steep increase in federal aid.

The New York Times

There was also a steep increase in liquidity after the notorious terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The New York Times

And fewer still are becoming mothers, owing to a steep increase in abortions after they were made legal in 1967.

The Economist

The 2017 data show a steep increase in the percentage of female founders.

TechCrunch

Those travelling from Folkestone also face a steep increase of 5.98% to £4,888.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a steep increase", quantify the increase with specific numbers or percentages to provide clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a steep increase" without specifying what is increasing and the relevant timeframe. For example, instead of saying "There was a steep increase", say "There was a steep increase in sales during the holiday season."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a steep increase" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes the act of something rising sharply. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to denote a rapid and significant rise in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a steep increase" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a rapid and significant rise. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted in written English. It's frequently found in both scientific and news contexts, emphasizing its versatility. When using "a steep increase", ensure you provide sufficient context by specifying what is increasing and over what period. Alternatives like ""a precipitous increase"" or ""a drastic increase"" can add further nuance to your writing. Remember to quantify the increase whenever possible for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a precipitous increase

Implies a very sudden and rapid increase, often suggesting a nearly vertical ascent.

a drastic increase

Indicates a severe or extreme increase, often implying a significant impact.

a sharp increase

Suggests a sudden and noticeable increase, emphasizing the abruptness of the change.

a substantial increase

Highlights the significance of the increase in terms of quantity or amount.

a considerable increase

Emphasizes that the increase is large enough to be worthy of attention.

a significant rise

Focuses on the importance and noteworthiness of the increasing trend.

a marked increase

Implies that the increase is clearly visible and easily distinguishable.

a notable surge

Suggests a sudden and powerful increase, often used in contexts of energy or force.

a rapid escalation

Conveys a sense of quick and progressive increase, often in tense situations.

an exponential growth

Denotes a very rapid increase where the growth rate is proportional to the current value.

FAQs

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

You can use "a steep increase" to describe a rapid and significant rise in something. For instance, "The company saw "a steep increase" in profits after the new marketing campaign."

What are some alternatives to "a steep increase"?

Alternatives include "a precipitous increase", "a drastic increase", or "a sharp increase", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "a steep increase" or "a sharp increase"?

Both "a steep increase" and "a sharp increase" are correct, but "steep" often implies a more dramatic and rapid rise than "sharp".

What does "a steep increase" typically refer to?

"A steep increase" usually refers to a rapid and significant rise in a quantifiable measure, such as prices, rates, or numbers. It implies that the change is not gradual but happens quickly and noticeably.