increase of

USAGE SUMMARY

"increase of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something is becoming larger or more significant, such as a change in population, business profits, or the complexity of a task. For example: "The increase of tourism in the area has caused a strain on local resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Boston experienced an increase of 10.1%.

The Economist

This is an increase of just 0.3%.

The Economist

That's an increase of 47 percent.

The New York Times

The increase of sickness.

The Guardian

Analysts had forecast an increase of 1 percent.

The New York Times

It's an increase of 50%.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That would be an increase of 21.5 percent.

The New York Times

Economist had expected an increase of 5 percent.

The New York Times

This represents an increase of 14.43%.

The Guardian - Business

That's an increase of 87.5percentt.

The New York Times - Sports

Revenues were £1.9bn, an increase of 20%.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "increase of", ensure the noun following "of" is specific and clearly defined. For example, instead of "increase of activity", specify "increase of website traffic".

Common error

Avoid using "increase of" in very simple sentences where a more direct verb like "increased" would be more concise. Instead of "There was an increase of 10%", try "It increased by 10%".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increase of" primarily functions as a noun phrase modifier, indicating an augmentation or rise in something. It is often followed by a noun specifying what is increasing, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples, such as "increase of sickness" or "increase of trees".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

13%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "increase of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a rise or augmentation in something. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly found in news, scientific publications, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's advisable to use more concise alternatives like "rise in" or simply the verb "increased" where appropriate, to avoid wordiness. Recognizing its communicative function, potential errors in usage, and suitable alternatives, you can effectively use "increase of" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rise in

Replaces "increase" with "rise", offering a slightly more concise alternative.

growth of

Substitutes "increase" with "growth", emphasizing the process of development.

augmentation of

Uses "augmentation" for a more formal and technical tone.

upsurge in

Replaces "increase" with "upsurge", suggesting a sudden and significant rise.

escalation of

Employs "escalation" to imply a gradual and often concerning increase.

expansion of

Utilizes "expansion" to denote growth in size or scope.

heightening of

Replaces "increase" with "heightening", suggesting an intensification of something.

accumulation of

Uses "accumulation" to indicate a gradual gathering or build-up.

proliferation of

Substitutes "increase" with "proliferation", emphasizing a rapid spread or multiplication.

amplification of

Employs "amplification" to imply an increase in intensity or significance.

FAQs

How can I use "increase of" in a sentence?

Use "increase of" to describe a rise in quantity, size, or intensity. For example, "There was an "increase of" 20% in sales this quarter."

What phrases are similar to "increase of"?

Similar phrases include "rise in", "growth of", and "upsurge in". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to use "increase of", or are there more concise options?

Sometimes, a simpler verb form like "increased" can be more concise. For instance, instead of "the increase of prices", consider "prices increased".

What is the difference between "increase of" and "increase in"?

While both are similar, "increase in" is often used when referring to a general area or category, while "increase of" refers more to the specific quantity or measure. For example, "increase in productivity" vs "increase of 10%."