increase by

USAGE SUMMARY

"increase by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the increase in an amount, size, or degree. For example, "Sales increased by 20% over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Horsepower will increase by 28percentto to 212.

The New York Times

Child malnutrition is predicted to increase by 20% by 2050.

The Guardian

This year they will increase by 18.8percentt.

The New York Times

Overall spending would increase by $532.8 million the first year.

The New York Times

Local authority budgets increase by £10bn a year.

The Guardian

He expects that number to increase by 30% this year.

The Guardian - Travel

In effect, it is a tax increase by stealth.

The Guardian - Business

By 2035 energy consumption will increase by 35%.

The Guardian

By 2030 world water demand will increase by 30%.

The Guardian

That refund would increase by $500 under Mr. Obama's plan.

The New York Times

The funding for UKTI will increase by 25%.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "increase by", ensure that you specify the unit of measurement or percentage to provide clarity and context for the reader. For example, "Sales increased by 20%".

Common error

Avoid using "increase by" without providing a quantifiable measure. Saying "The population will increase by a lot" is vague. Instead, provide a specific number or percentage, such as "The population will increase by 15% over the next decade."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increase by" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a change in quantity or magnitude. It shows the amount of addition or growth experienced by something. The phrase is versatile and commonly used across various contexts, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "increase by" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that indicates growth or augmentation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It functions primarily to quantify the extent of an increase, appearing most often in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's best to specify the unit of measurement or percentage to enhance clarity. While alternatives like "gain by" or "rise by" exist, "increase by" remains a direct and widely understood way to express growth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain by

Uses a different verb to indicate acquisition or addition, focusing on what is obtained.

rise by

Implies an upward movement or elevation in quantity or degree.

grow by

Suggests a natural or gradual development and expansion.

augment by

Indicates an addition that enhances or completes something.

heighten by

Focuses on intensifying or elevating a particular quality or state.

escalate by

Suggests a rapid or dramatic increase, often in a negative context.

expand by

Implies an enlargement or broadening in scope or size.

swell by

Suggests a gradual increase in size or volume, often due to internal pressure.

enlarge by

Focuses on making something bigger or more extensive.

accumulate by

Indicates a gradual gathering or piling up of something over time.

FAQs

How do I use "increase by" in a sentence?

Use "increase by" to indicate the amount of change or growth. For example, "Profits "increased by" 10% this quarter" or "The temperature will "increase by" 2 degrees Celsius".

What can I say instead of "increase by"?

You can use alternatives like "gain by", "rise by", or "grow by" depending on the context. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "increase of" instead of "increase by"?

While "increase of" can be used to describe the amount of increase, ""increase by"" is generally preferred when stating the specific quantity or percentage of the change. For example, "There was an increase of 10% in sales", but "Sales "increased by" 10%".

What's the difference between "increase by" and "increase to"?

"Increase by" indicates the amount of the change (e.g., "The price "increased by" $5"), while "increase to" indicates the final value (e.g., "The price "increased to" $25").