increase or decrease

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "increase or decrease" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing changes in quantity, value, or intensity, often in contexts like finance, statistics, or general comparisons. Example: "The report indicates a significant increase or decrease in sales over the last quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

What causes it to increase or decrease?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Change indicates increase or decrease in the percentage.

The New York Times

Do they increase or decrease the noise levels?

The Washington Post

However, polyploidy could increase or decrease salt tolerance43.

Nature

This could dramatically increase or decrease your power.

The Washington Post

Learning takes place only when something unexpected happens and dopamine firing rates increase or decrease.

The New York Times - Science

You may want to increase or decrease that and alter the quantity of toasted mustard seed.

The New York Times

Isometric strength did not increase or decrease significantly after SDR.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

"Will this increase or decrease the pool of resources?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"4.06 Increased or Decreased Contract Quantities.

Harvard University

Gallup also asked if immigration should be increased or decreased.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or changes, use "increase or decrease" to indicate the possibility of either upward or downward movement. This avoids making premature assumptions about the direction of change.

Common error

Avoid using "increase or decrease" when the context clearly indicates a change in only one direction. For instance, if you're discussing expected cost reductions, stick to "decrease" instead of using the dual phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increase or decrease" functions as a compound verb phrase that describes a potential change in either direction. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to indicate fluctuation or variability. It serves to express uncertainty about the specific direction of change.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

24%

Science

23%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "increase or decrease" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate potential changes in either an upward or downward direction. Ludwig AI confirms that it is most commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for formal and professional communications, where precision and objectivity are important. To avoid redundancy, ensure its use only when both possibilities are relevant. Consider more specific alternatives like ""rise or fall"" or "grow or shrink" when the direction of change is known or implied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rise or fall

This alternative uses more general terms to describe upward or downward movement.

grow or shrink

This alternative is suited for contexts involving size, quantity, or extent.

escalate or diminish

This alternative suggests a gradual increase or decrease, often in intensity or scale.

amplify or reduce

This alternative is useful when discussing the magnitude or strength of something.

inflate or deflate

This alternative is particularly apt when referring to financial or economic contexts.

expand or contract

This alternative highlights changes in physical dimensions or scope.

wax or wane

This alternative evokes a cyclical pattern of increase and decrease, often used metaphorically.

appreciate or depreciate

This alternative is typically used in financial contexts to describe changes in value.

augment or lessen

This alternative is applicable when discussing the degree or amount of something.

build up or decline

This alternative suggests a gradual accumulation or deterioration over time.

FAQs

How do I use "increase or decrease" correctly in a sentence?

Use "increase or decrease" to indicate that a quantity, value, or intensity may either go up or down. For example: "The company's profits may "rise or fall" depending on market conditions."

What are some alternatives to "increase or decrease"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like ""rise or fall"", "grow or shrink", or "fluctuate" as alternatives to "increase or decrease".

Is it redundant to use "increase or decrease" together?

No, using "increase or decrease" is not redundant when you want to express the possibility of change in either direction. It explicitly covers both potential outcomes.

Which is more formal, "increase or decrease" or "rise or fall"?

"Increase or decrease" is generally considered more formal than ""rise or fall"", especially in technical or business writing.