a subtle increase

USAGE SUMMARY

"a subtle increase" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that there was a small but noticeable change or rise. For example, "The document indicated a subtle increase in the number of cases of flu this month."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Healthy vagal function is reflected in a subtle increase in heart rate while breathing in and a subtle decrease while breathing out.

The Economist

In languages like Czech, the move from Jana to Janka and then Janicka signals a subtle increase in intimacy each time.

The Economist

The HTGC and NMR results showed that the saturated fraction is not affected during the thermal stress process, whereas a subtle increase in the number of aromatic compounds was observed as a function of degradation time.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Degradation of polymers is usually manifested in a reduction of molecular weight, increase of crystallinity in semi crystalline polymers, increase of material density, a subtle increase in yield strength, and a dramatic reduction in toughness.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

Degradation of polymers is usually manifested in a reduction of molecular weight, increase of crystallinity in semicrystalline polymers, increase of material density, a subtle increase in yield strength, and a dramatic reduction in toughness.

Polymer Degradation and Stability

Our data suggest that A/H1N1 viruses such as the A/PR/8/34 strain are particularly sensitive to a subtle increase in the endosomal pH, as caused by the polycyclic amine compounds.

Antiviral Research

The overexpression of PhEGS alone resulted in a subtle increase in either eugenol or eugenol glycosides, and the overexpression of both PhCFAT and PhEGS resulted in significant increases in the levels of both eugenol and eugenol glycosides which were nonetheless lower than the increases seen with overexpression of PhCFAT alone.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Compound heterozygotes and heterozygotes for the C282Y and H63D mutations also have a subtle increases in serum iron, serum ferritin and transferrin saturation [ 5– 8].

European Journal of Epidemiology

A notable increase from 3.77 × 10−4 to 1.59 × 10−3 g/m2/day in WVTR was obtained for film A, while a more subtle increase from 9.94 × 10−5 to 7.1 × 10−5 g/m2/day was achieved for film C. The results indicate that internal alucone organic layers improve flexibility under the same thicknesses.

Nanoscale Research Letters

This resulted in a very subtle increase in vascular permeability with time in both wild-type and Mac-1-/ mice (Figure 1F).

Plosone

Removal of sulfoxide results in the residuals increasing by a factor of 2, however, removal of the sulfinic acid component results in only a very subtle increase in the residual.

ACS Chemical Neuroscience

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a subtle increase", ensure the context clearly indicates what is increasing and why the subtlety is important. This adds precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a subtle increase" when the change is actually significant. Using it inappropriately can mislead your audience about the true magnitude of the change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a subtle increase" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a rise or change that is small and not immediately obvious. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

69%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a subtle increase" is a noun phrase used to describe a minor or gradual rise, primarily in formal contexts such as scientific research and news reporting. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage. The phrase indicates that while there is an observable change, it's not drastic or immediately apparent. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly illustrates what is increasing and why its subtlety is noteworthy. Remember, using alternatives like "a slight rise" or "a modest uptick" can further refine the meaning based on your specific intention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight rise

Emphasizes the small degree of change, similar to "subtle".

a marginal growth

Focuses on the incremental nature of the increase.

a modest uptick

Suggests a gentle and not very significant increase.

a gentle climb

Implies a gradual and smooth increase.

a minor escalation

Highlights a slight increase in intensity or amount.

a fractional increment

Emphasizes that the increase is only a small part of the whole.

a barely perceptible gain

Focuses on the difficulty in noticing the increase.

a minimal augmentation

Highlights the small extent of the increase.

a creeping expansion

Suggests that the increase occurs slowly over time.

a nuanced development

Shifts the focus to the qualitative aspect of the change being subtle.

FAQs

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

You can use "a subtle increase" to describe a small but noticeable rise or change. For example, "The data revealed a subtle increase in the unemployment rate."

What's a good alternative to "a subtle increase"?

Alternatives include "a slight rise", "a modest uptick", or "a marginal growth". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a subtle increase" in formal writing?

Yes, "a subtle increase" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in scientific and business contexts, where precise descriptions of changes are important.

What is the difference between "a subtle increase" and "a significant increase"?

"A subtle increase" indicates a small, barely noticeable change, while "a significant increase" implies a larger, more impactful change. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the change.