been a slight increase

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been a slight increase" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing changes or trends, particularly in data or statistics, to indicate a small upward movement. Example: "According to the latest report, there has been a slight increase in sales over the past quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

If you look at the raw numbers, there has been a slight increase.

The Guardian

"I can say there has been a slight increase in the number of casualties," he said.

The New York Times

But there has been a slight increase in the relative number of sites in the connected core.

The New York Times - Tech

At the same time, there has been a slight increase in President Trump's approval rating, although it remains low.

The Washington Post

Price conceded there had been "a slight increase" in Australia's emissions but blamed an increase in liquid natural gas production.

The Guardian

The result has been a slight increase in the number of school districts employing experiential educators either full-time or as a necessary qualification for another position.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

That is a slight increase from this year's capital spending.

The New York Times

Last year, there was a slight increase in population.

The New York Times

The number is a slight increase over 2008.

The New York Times

However, there was a slight increase in migrants stopped at the border in August.

The New York Times

There was a slight increase in BP in response to volume contraction in both groups.

American Journal of Hypertension

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing statistical data or trends, use "been a slight increase" to indicate a small upward movement. Be specific about what is increasing to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "been a slight increase" when the actual change is negligible or statistically insignificant. Ensure the increase is meaningful within the context you are discussing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been a slight increase" functions as a descriptor indicating a small upward change. As Ludwig AI's examples show, it's often used to describe trends in data, statistics, or other measurable quantities. It suggests a positive movement, though not a substantial one.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been a slight increase" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a small upward change. As shown by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and business contexts to report on minor positive trends. While suitable for formal writing, ensure the increase is meaningful within the context. Alternatives like "experienced a marginal growth" or "witnessed a small uptick" can be used for variety. This phrase serves to inform readers of minor but positive developments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experienced a marginal growth

Replaces "increase" with "growth" and "slight" with "marginal", altering the specific nouns and adjectives used to convey the increase.

witnessed a small uptick

Uses "uptick" instead of "increase" and "small" instead of "slight", providing a more informal and concise expression.

registered a modest rise

Substitutes "increase" with "rise" and "slight" with "modest", changing the overall tone to sound somewhat more formal.

showed a minimal gain

Replaces "increase" with "gain" and "slight" with "minimal", implying a small but positive change.

indicated a gentle climb

Uses "climb" instead of "increase" and "gentle" instead of "slight", suggesting a gradual and smooth increase.

marked a minor improvement

Substitutes "increase" with "improvement" and "slight" with "minor", focusing on the positive aspect of the change.

revealed a fractional escalation

Replaces "increase" with "escalation" and "slight" with "fractional", emphasizing a very small and incremental change.

detected a subtle augmentation

Uses "augmentation" instead of "increase" and "subtle" instead of "slight", creating a more sophisticated and nuanced expression.

observed a tempered expansion

Substitutes "increase" with "expansion" and "slight" with "tempered", suggesting a controlled and moderate increase.

there's been a touch increase

Using "touch" to mean a very small amount or degree.

FAQs

How can I use "been a slight increase" in a sentence?

You can use "been a slight increase" to describe a small upward trend or change. For example, "There has been a slight increase in the number of applicants this year".

What can I say instead of "been a slight increase"?

You can use alternatives like "experienced a marginal growth", "witnessed a small uptick", or "registered a modest rise" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "been a slight increase" is suitable for formal writing, but consider using more precise language if the exact amount of increase is known. In those cases using "registered a modest rise" can be also a good fit.

What is the difference between "been a slight increase" and "been a significant increase"?

"Been a slight increase" indicates a small change, while "been a significant increase" suggests a much larger and more noticeable change. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the increase.