amid a sharp increase in the number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "amid a sharp increase in the number of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or context where something is happening during a notable rise in quantity or frequency of a particular subject. Example: "The government implemented new policies amid a sharp increase in the number of reported cases."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It surfaced after a year of increasing concerns about the safety of the meat supply amid a sharp increase in the number of recalls tied to a particularly deadly form of the E. coli pathogen.

The New York Times

The plan also comes amid a sharp increase in the number of homeless people lodged in the city's shelter system, which has risen above 25,000 for the first time since the late 1980's, and amid widespread criticism of the city's attempts to find housing for the victims of domestic violence.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Police chiefs are to hold urgent talks with the Crown Prosecution Service amid concern that it is failing to convert a sharp increase in the number of modern slavery cases into convictions.

The Times

There was a sharp increase in the number of personal bankruptcies in the Hudson Valley -- 26.5percentt more than the first quarter of last year.

The New York Times

The report (pdf) also showed a sharp increase in the number of young adults falling victim to identity fraud.

The Guardian - Money

The main contributory factor here is a sharp increase in the number of students achieving a first or a 2 1.

The Guardian

There was simultaneously a sharp increase in the number of physicians, and a substantial drop in infant mortality.

Britannica

Internal migration data from the Office for National Statistics also showed a sharp increase in the number of children leaving the capital.

The Guardian - Money

A sharp increase in the number of theatre buildings matched the rapid growth in urban development.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There was a sharp increase in the number of road deaths – 408, compared to 306 last year.

Independent

A sharp increase in the number of primary dealers over the last few years has squeezed profit margins considerably.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "amid a sharp increase in the number of", ensure the subsequent clause explains the consequences or reactions to this increase. This provides context and relevance to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "amid a sharp increase in the number of" without clearly linking it to a specific outcome or related event. Ensure the connection is explicit to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "amid a sharp increase in the number of" functions as a prepositional phrase, setting the contextual background for an event or situation. It introduces the circumstances under which something is occurring. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly indicates that events are unfolding during a rise in quantity or frequency.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "amid a sharp increase in the number of" is a prepositional phrase used to provide context, indicating that something is happening during a period of rapid growth. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and serves to introduce the conditions under which an event occurs. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts. For effective use, remember to explicitly connect this phrase to a specific outcome or related event. Alternatives include "during a period of heightened growth in" or "in light of an amplified incidence of". Understanding its purpose and appropriate usage contributes to clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during a period of heightened growth in

Replaces "amid" with "during" and uses "heightened growth" instead of "sharp increase".

in the face of a rapid escalation in

Emphasizes the confronting nature of the increase, using "in the face of" and "rapid escalation".

against the backdrop of a significant surge in

Uses "against the backdrop of" to set the context and "significant surge" for emphasis.

with a marked upturn observed in

More formal phrasing, replacing "sharp increase" with "marked upturn observed".

concurrent with a notable expansion of

Highlights the simultaneous nature of the increase, using "concurrent with" and "notable expansion".

following a steep rise in

Indicates a sequence where the rise precedes the current situation, using "following" and "steep rise".

in light of an amplified incidence of

A more formal and technical alternative, using "in light of" and "amplified incidence".

attributable to a pronounced elevation in

Indicates causation, suggesting the situation is caused by the increase, using "attributable to" and "pronounced elevation".

experiencing a quickened pace of growth in

Focuses on the speed of the increase, using "quickened pace of growth".

observing an exponential climb in

Emphasizes the rapid and accelerating nature of the increase, using "exponential climb".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "amid a sharp increase in the number of" to sound more formal?

You could use phrases like "concurrent with a notable expansion of", or "in light of an amplified incidence of", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "amid a sharp increase in the amount of" instead of "amid a sharp increase in the number of"?

While both are grammatically acceptable, "number of" is generally used for countable items, while "amount of" is used for non-countable substances. Choose the phrase that aligns with the noun you are describing.

What does "amid a sharp increase in the number of" imply?

It implies that something is happening in the context of, or possibly as a result of, a rapid and significant rise in the quantity or frequency of something else.

What are some alternatives to "sharp" in the phrase "amid a sharp increase in the number of"?

You can use alternatives like "significant", "substantial", "considerable", or "rapid" to describe the increase, depending on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.