exponential growth

USAGE SUMMARY

"exponential growth" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe a rapid increase in the size, number, value, or rate of something over a short period of time. For example: "The company has seen exponential growth in its customer base over the past few months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's an exponential growth.

The Guardian

"We anticipate exponential growth," Mr. Spencer said.

The New York Times - Health

"Exponential growth is not necessarily rapid.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We're on an exponential growth curve," Dr. Rickert said.

The New York Times

"We feel we're in an exponential growth phase," he said.

The New York Times

There certainly is exponential growth expected in the ICT sector.

The Guardian

She added: "These figures show an exponential growth.

The Guardian

"Once it's in the dispersal phase, exponential growth kicks in.

The New York Times - Health

What's more, there's also "exponential growth in the rate ' of exponential growth".

Independent

But it hasn't quite worked out that way: Murdoch did not count on Facebook's exponential growth.

The Guardian - Tech

The exponential growth of Loose Change is gradually forcing the film on the mainstream media.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exponential growth", ensure that the context clearly supports the idea of a rate of growth proportional to the current value. Avoid using it loosely to simply mean 'rapid growth' when the mathematical property isn't relevant.

Common error

A common mistake is assuming "exponential growth" always implies an immediate, explosive increase. While it can be rapid, exponential growth is characterized by a rate proportional to the existing amount, meaning it might start slow but accelerate over time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exponential growth" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific type of increase where the rate is proportional to the current value, indicating a rapidly accelerating trend. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exponential growth" is a noun phrase that accurately describes a rate of growth that is proportional to the current value. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse fields such as news, science, and business. While often used to generally mean rapid growth, it's important to remember its specific mathematical meaning to ensure accuracy. When writing, be aware that it describes a specific type of growth where the rate is proportional to the current amount. The analysis shows the term's prevalence in sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, solidifying its place in formal and neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rapid increase

Focuses on the speed of the increase, a key aspect of exponential growth.

accelerating expansion

Highlights the increasing rate of expansion, similar to exponential growth.

geometric progression

Emphasizes the mathematical nature of the growth, similar to exponential.

swift escalation

Conveys a sense of quick and significant growth or increase.

mushrooming development

Implies a rapid and widespread growth, like mushrooms sprouting.

spiraling surge

Suggests a continuous and upward growth pattern.

burgeoning expansion

Emphasizes the quick and healthy nature of the expansion.

prolific proliferation

Highlights the abundant and rapid increase or spread.

snowballing effect

Illustrates how something grows at an accelerating pace, like a snowball rolling down hill.

runaway growth

Indicates uncontrolled and rapid growth.

FAQs

How can I use "exponential growth" in a sentence?

Use "exponential growth" to describe a situation where the rate of increase is proportional to the current value. For example, "The company experienced "exponential growth" in its user base after implementing the new marketing strategy."

What are some alternatives to "exponential growth"?

Depending on the specific context, you can use alternatives like "rapid increase", "accelerating expansion", or "geometric progression".

Is it correct to use "exponential growth" to describe any kind of rapid growth?

While often used to mean rapid growth, "exponential growth" technically refers to a specific type of growth where the rate is proportional to the current amount. Using it loosely for any rapid growth can be imprecise.

What distinguishes "exponential growth" from linear growth?

"Exponential growth" involves an accelerating rate of increase, while linear growth has a constant rate. In linear growth, the quantity increases by the same amount in each time period; in "exponential growth", it increases by the same proportion.