increase in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'increase in' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to denote an increase in the amount of something. For example: There has been an increase in the sale of luxury cars this year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

*"Increase in parental depression.

Independent

An increase in transportation choices.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's a significant increase in enjoyment".

The New York Times

Will other pests increase in number?

The New Yorker

The commission approved the increase in July.

The New York Times

So the increase in coverage has slowed.

The Economist

The result was an increase in neighbourliness.

Independent

Seniors, however, kept their increase in benefits.

The New York Times

What about the increase in fame?

The Guardian - Music

Then there was an increase in prostitution.

The New York Times

Analysts expect an increase in June.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "increase in", ensure you specify what is increasing. For example, instead of just saying 'there was an increase', specify 'there was an "increase in" sales'.

Common error

Avoid using "increase in" without specifying what is increasing. For example, saying 'the increase was significant' is less effective than saying 'the "increase in" customer satisfaction was significant'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increase in" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adjectival modifier to describe a noun. It indicates a rise or growth in something, as illustrated by Ludwig examples such as "an "increase in" sales" or "an "increase in" murders". Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "increase in" is a versatile and frequently used prepositional phrase that indicates a rise or growth in a specified area. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable. It functions primarily to describe growth, whether in sales, population, or abstract concepts, across various registers from news reports to academic papers. While common, it's important to specify what is increasing to avoid vagueness. For alternatives, consider "rise in", "growth in", or "upsurge in" to convey similar meanings with slight contextual nuances. The phrase's consistent appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rise in

Simple synonym; describes a general upward trend.

growth in

Focuses on the process of growing larger or more numerous.

upsurge in

Implies a sudden and significant increase.

escalation in

Often used for negative contexts like conflict or costs.

augmentation of

More formal and emphasizes the act of increasing something.

expansion of

Suggests an increase in size, scope, or extent.

increment in

Highlights a small, gradual increase.

heightened level of

Focuses on the attainment of a greater degree or intensity.

amplification of

Emphasizes making something louder, greater, or more pronounced.

proliferation of

Indicates a rapid and widespread increase, often used for undesirable things.

FAQs

How to use "increase in" in a sentence?

Use "increase in" to describe a rise in quantity, size, or intensity. For example, "There was an "increase in" demand for electric cars." or "The company reported an "increase in" profits last quarter."

What can I say instead of "increase in"?

You can use alternatives like "rise in", "growth in", or "upsurge in" depending on the context.

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

"Increased by" is used to indicate the amount of change, while "increase in" describes the general phenomenon of growth. For example, "Sales increased by 20%" versus "There was an "increase in" sales."

What's the difference between "increase in" and "improvement in"?

"Increase in" refers specifically to a rise in quantity or amount. "Improvement in" refers to a positive change in quality or condition. For example, an "increase in" test scores versus an "improvement in" student behavior.