been a steady increase

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been a steady increase" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing trends or changes over time, particularly in contexts such as economics, statistics, or any field where growth or change is measured. Example: "Over the past decade, there has been a steady increase in the number of electric vehicles on the road."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet, despite budget stagnation, there has been a steady increase in the production of digital content.

Cornell University

"There's been a steady increase in standardized test scores for years.

The New York Times

There has been a steady increase in cases with a multijurisdictional aspect.

The Guardian - Opinion

There's been a steady increase in the number of complaints," he said.

The Guardian

Certainly since 2004 there has been a steady increase in the numbers of older workers.

The Guardian - Business

There has been a steady increase in manufacturing since the 1970s.

Britannica

There has been a steady increase in the number of pathogens that show multiple drug resistance.

Nature

Since then, "as word spread, there's been a steady increase in value in Fort Greene.

The New York Times

With services restored following economy-driven cutbacks, ridership numbers appear set to continue what had been a steady increase.

The Guardian

"There's been a steady increase right through the economic expansion of the 1990's," Dr. McCarthy said.

The New York Times

"There has been a steady increase in sales of their music for the last 30 years," Mr. Lipman said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been a steady increase" to describe gradual upward trends in quantifiable data such as sales figures, population growth, or infection rates. This phrase is particularly effective when you want to emphasize the consistent nature of the rise over a period of time.

Common error

Avoid implying direct causation when describing a steady increase. While you can note correlations, be cautious about stating that one factor caused the increase without sufficient evidence. Instead, focus on describing the trend and potential contributing factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been a steady increase" functions as a nominal phrase, often part of a larger predicate, describing a gradual and consistent upward trend. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

34%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been a steady increase" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to depict gradual and consistent growth across numerous fields. According to Ludwig, its correctness and usability are unquestionable. Analysis of the source data shows its frequent usage in News & Media and Scientific publications, indicating a neutral register suitable for broad audiences. When using this phrase, it's crucial to avoid implying unsupported causation and to select it appropriately based on the trend's consistency versus a dramatic spike. Considering synonyms such as "shown a consistent rise" can help refine the message to suit the context. This phrase helps the writers to convey gradual changes across various fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shown a consistent rise

Replaces "steady increase" with synonyms for both "steady" and "increase", maintaining the same meaning.

grown steadily

Uses a simpler verb, "grown", to convey the idea of a steady increase.

increased gradually

Focuses on the gradual nature of the increase, simplifying the phrase.

risen incrementally

Emphasizes the step-by-step progression of the increase.

seen a continuous growth

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the growth, similar to a steady increase.

progressed consistently

Highlights the consistent forward movement or development.

developed consistently

Implies a consistent and gradual advancement or evolution.

expanded incrementally

Suggests a growth in size or scope occurring in small steps.

escalated steadily

Conveys a gradual and continuous increase in intensity or amount.

climbed gradually

Uses the metaphor of climbing to depict a slow and continuous increase.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "been a steady increase" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "demonstrated a consistent rise", "exhibited a gradual growth", or "registered a progressive increment".

Is it correct to say "there is been a steady increase"?

No, the correct phrasing is "there has been a steady increase" or "there had been a steady increase", depending on the tense. The auxiliary verb "have/has/had" must agree with the subject and tense.

What's the difference between "been a steady increase" and "been a dramatic increase"?

"Been a steady increase" implies a gradual and consistent rise over time, while "been a dramatic increase" suggests a sudden and significant jump. The choice depends on the actual nature of the trend you're describing.

Can "been a steady increase" be used to describe a negative trend?

While typically used for positive growth, "been a steady increase" can describe a negative trend if the context is clear. For example, "There has "been a steady increase" in reported cases of the illness" indicates a negative trend.