an incremental update

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an incremental update" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small, gradual change or improvement made to a system, software, or process. Example: "The software will receive an incremental update next week to enhance its performance and fix minor bugs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

It's not an incremental update, it's a pitch into the future of what the world of computing might look like in 2017 to 2022.

The Guardian - Tech

True to form (and despite the fact that the iPhone 5 is mostly an incremental update with most of the details leaked in advance), there were scores of breathless hacks at last night's launch.

The Guardian - Opinion

The company had taken heed of rumours, proven correct, that the iPhone 7, released in September, would be an incremental update to the the earlier iPhone 6s, and wanted to capitalise on the "boring" release by dropping an exciting phone of its own a few days before.

The Guardian - Tech

3D Touch isn't an incremental update.

TechCrunch

Mac OS 9, the most recent release, is an incremental update with bothersome glitches.

Forbes

But the Windows 10 name also symbolises that this will not be an incremental update, but something of a fresh start.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

As an extension of AAM, sequential AAM (SAAM) was proposed, in which both an incremental updated component and a reference component were employed simultaneously in the fitting scheme.

Journal of Visual Communication and Image Representation

This continues the idea that Phone 8.1 is more than a small, incremental update, though steppish it remains as it is not a rem-imagining of what Windows Phone could, or should be.

TechCrunch

After four generations of devices, Kindle users expected a slight incremental update from the previous Kindle Touch.

TechCrunch

But that was a relatively incremental update by comparison to this total relaunch of the service, the result of two years' research and beta testing.

TechCrunch

It's a relatively incremental update for the company, but that's probably to be expected six or so months after releasing the 5.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an incremental update" when you want to emphasize that a change is small and part of a series of improvements, rather than a complete overhaul.

Common error

Avoid using "an incremental update" to describe changes that are actually significant or represent major new versions. This can mislead your audience about the scope of the update.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an incremental update" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a sentence or preposition. It describes a type of change that is small and gradual. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an incremental update" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a small, gradual change or improvement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's primarily used in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, ensure that the update truly represents a minor change and not a significant overhaul. Alternatives like "a minor adjustment" or "a slight modification" can be used to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor adjustment

Focuses on the small scale of the change.

a slight modification

Emphasizes a small alteration or change.

a gradual improvement

Highlights the progressive nature of the change.

a stepwise refinement

Suggests a series of small, deliberate improvements.

an evolutionary upgrade

Implies a natural and gradual progression in improvement.

a routine patch

Describes a regular and minor fix.

a small-scale revision

Highlights the limited scope of the change.

a marginal enhancement

Emphasizes the small positive impact of the change.

a progressive update

Indicates that the update happens gradually over time.

a phased implementation

Highlights that the change is introduced in stages.

FAQs

How can I use "an incremental update" in a sentence?

You can use "an incremental update" to describe a small, gradual change to something. For example: "The new version of the software includes "an incremental update" to the user interface".

What's the difference between "an incremental update" and a major update?

"An incremental update" refers to a small, gradual change, while a major update involves significant alterations and new features. Incremental updates are often focused on bug fixes and minor improvements, whereas major updates can overhaul the entire system.

What can I say instead of "an incremental update"?

You can use alternatives like "a minor adjustment", "a slight modification", or "a gradual improvement" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "an incremental update" in formal writing?

Yes, "an incremental update" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in technical documentation, reports, and business communications when describing software or system updates. However, it may be better to use more formal alternatives depending on your audience.