be increasing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be increasing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or trend that is currently on the rise or becoming greater over time. Example: "The number of users on the platform seems to be increasing steadily each month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That number seems to be increasing, though.

The Economist

Some dangers seem to be increasing.

The Economist

Now it appears to be increasing again.

The New York Times

"It could be increasing," Mr. Robertson said.

The New York Times

Now, green incentives may be increasing pollution.

The New York Times

*The infection rate appears to be increasing.

The New York Times

Should they be increasing their reserves?

The Guardian

And Ansar activity seems to be increasing.

The New York Times

Their numbers will likely be increasing.

The New York Times

Anecdotally unschoolers appear to be increasing.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Its prevalence appears to be increasing.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be increasing", ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "the demand is increasing" rather than just "is increasing".

Common error

Avoid using "be increasing" without specifying what is increasing or the rate of increase. For example, instead of saying "costs will be increasing", provide context like "costs will be increasing by 10% next year".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be increasing" functions as a verb phrase in the present continuous tense. According to Ludwig AI, it describes an ongoing action or process of growth or rise. This is seen in examples like "deforestation appears to be increasing" and "the infection rate appears to be increasing."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be increasing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that indicates a current upward trend or growth. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and understood in diverse contexts. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and business sources, suggesting a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, it is best practice to specify what is increasing to maintain clarity and avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "be growing" and "be rising", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be growing

Focuses on the process of growth, implying a gradual increase.

be rising

Emphasizes an upward movement or elevation in quantity or value.

be escalating

Suggests a rapid and potentially concerning increase in intensity or scale.

be expanding

Highlights the idea of something becoming larger or more extensive.

be mounting

Implies a gradual accumulation or buildup over time.

be surging

Conveys a sudden and powerful increase, often unexpected.

be amplifying

Indicates that something is being made larger or more intense.

be intensifying

Highlights a strengthening or deepening of something over time.

be accumulating

Focuses on the process of gathering or collecting more of something.

be snowballing

Suggests an accelerating increase, with each addition making the next one larger.

FAQs

How do I use "be increasing" in a sentence?

Use "be increasing" to describe something that is currently growing or rising. For example, "The number of students applying to universities seems to "be increasing" each year."

What are some alternatives to "be increasing"?

Alternatives to "be increasing" include phrases like "be growing", "be rising", or "be escalating", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "the numbers are be increasing"?

No, the correct phrasing is "the numbers are increasing" or "the numbers seem to "be increasing"". The auxiliary verb "be" is already present, so it doesn't need to be repeated.

What is the difference between "be increasing" and "increase"?

"Increase" is a verb or noun indicating a rise, while "be increasing" is a continuous verb phrase used to describe an ongoing process of growth. For example, "Sales increase every quarter" versus "Sales are "be increasing" this quarter".