increase fees

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "increase fees" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of raising the cost of services or products, typically in a business or financial context. Example: "Due to rising operational costs, we have decided to increase fees for our membership services starting next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One option, it seems, to pay for that increased staff time is to increase fees where people are willing to pay them.

Duke University

I'm going to resist any attempt to increase fees.

The Guardian

This latest threat to increase fees follows more than six years of attacks.

The Guardian - Opinion

To raise future funds, it will increase fees, sell food and seek corporate money.

The New York Times

An increase in defaults could force it to increase fees further, however.

The New York Times

He would increase fees for street activity permits, generating nearly $1 million, he said.

The New York Times

The Obama administration has announced plans to increase fees for immigration documents by about 10 percent.

The New York Times

If you increase fees, postgraduate courses will only be available to those who have money or come from rich families.

The Guardian

He has been widely criticised for reneging on a Liberal Democrat election promise not to increase fees.

The Guardian

Critics of Hunt's plan will complain that the loss of business rate relief would only increase fees.

The Guardian

Numerous studies show that Flash Boys-style trades affect stock prices and increase fees for long-term investors.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "increase fees", be specific about which fees are being increased and the reasons behind the change. Transparency helps maintain trust with customers or stakeholders.

Common error

Avoid using overly general language when discussing "increase fees". Specify the exact fees affected and the magnitude of the increase to prevent misunderstanding or alarm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increase fees" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "increase" is the verb and "fees" is the direct object. It describes the action of raising the amount charged for services or products. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "increase fees" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of raising the price of services or products. As indicated by Ludwig, it appears frequently in diverse contexts like news, academia, and business. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, its usage tends toward professional and formal settings. When using "increase fees", being specific about which fees are affected and the rationale behind the increase is important for clarity and transparency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raise prices

Refers to increasing the monetary value of goods or services; broader than fees which are specific charges.

hike charges

Suggests a significant or abrupt increase in costs, often implying a negative impact.

escalate costs

Emphasizes a gradual or incremental increase in expenses over time.

bump up rates

Informal way of saying to increase rates, typically used in service industries.

augment tariffs

Applies specifically to taxes on imports or exports, suggesting a formal increase.

drive up expenses

Focuses on the consequence of actions that lead to higher expenditures.

inflate dues

Relates specifically to membership fees or regular payments that are artificially increased.

mark up prices

Describes the practice of adding a profit margin to the cost of goods, resulting in higher prices.

adjust fares upward

Specifically used in transportation, indicating that travel costs are being increased.

enhance levies

Implies improving or reinforcing existing taxes or assessments, often by increasing them.

FAQs

What does it mean to "increase fees"?

To "increase fees" means to raise the amount of money charged for a service, product, or privilege. This can apply to various contexts, such as tuition, membership dues, or service charges.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "increase fees"?

The phrase "increase fees" is suitable in formal and informal contexts when discussing the act of raising prices for services or products. It is commonly used in business, education, and government settings.

What are some alternatives to "increase fees"?

You can use alternatives like "raise prices", "hike charges", or "escalate costs" depending on the context and desired nuance.

Why might an organization decide to "increase fees"?

Organizations might "increase fees" to cover rising operational costs, improve service quality, or generate more revenue. It's often a strategic decision based on market conditions and financial needs.