increase prices

USAGE SUMMARY

"increase prices" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to a change in the prices of goods or services. For example, "The company has decided to increase prices on certain items to offset the cost of raw materials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As production volumes increase, prices will fall.

The Economist

"I have to cut hours or increase prices," he said.

The New York Times

Tariffs increase prices, limit choices, reduce competition and inhibit innovation.

The Washington Post

Hoarding, by exporters and importers, will only increase prices further.

The New York Times

Marketmen had organized an association, had allocated retailers among themselves, and had agreed to increase prices.

Harvard University

Some economists have criticized the breakup proposal as likely to increase prices for consumers.

The New York Times

Farmers get quota allotments each year, in a program intended to increase prices by restricting supply.

The New York Times

Retailers did not increase prices, and sales prices of most electronics continued to fall.

The New York Times

One government tactic to manage this has been to increase prices by as much as 55%.

The Guardian - Travel

Car manufacturers are forecast to increase prices by only 0.7% this year.

The Guardian - Business

"People are expecting they will commit" to the effort to increase prices, he added.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "increase prices", consider specifying the reason behind the increase to provide context and avoid negative implications. For example, instead of simply stating "We will increase prices", explain "We will increase prices due to rising raw material costs".

Common error

Avoid attributing a price increase to vague market forces. Instead of saying "Prices will increase because of the market", provide specific factors such as "Prices will increase due to increased demand and limited supply".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increase prices" primarily functions as a verb phrase acting as the main predicate within a sentence. It describes the action of raising the monetary value of goods or services. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "increase prices" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves primarily to describe the action of raising the cost of goods or services. While commonly found in news and media, as well as formal business contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for a broad range of communications. When using the phrase, specificity regarding the reasons for the increase can enhance clarity and mitigate potential negative perceptions. Consider alternatives like "raise prices" or "hike prices" depending on the desired tone and context. It's crucial to avoid vagueness when explaining the cause of price increases, providing concrete factors instead of broad generalizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raise prices

Uses a different verb with similar meaning. This alternative is highly interchangeable.

hike prices

Employs a more informal verb implying a significant increase. This alternative carries a stronger connotation.

bump up prices

Uses a phrasal verb that suggests a modest increase. This alternative is less formal.

escalate prices

Suggests a gradual increase, often in response to external factors. This alternative implies a systematic change.

drive up prices

Implies an external force causing the increase. This alternative is often used in economic contexts.

inflate prices

Suggests an artificial or unjustified increase. This alternative has a negative connotation.

mark up prices

Refers to the addition of a profit margin to the cost. This alternative is common in retail contexts.

adjust prices upward

A more formal and neutral way of saying prices are increasing. This alternative is suitable for professional communication.

increase the cost

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the "cost" rather than the action. This alternative adds a slight shift in emphasis.

set higher prices

Focuses on the act of establishing prices at a higher level. This alternative describes a deliberate action.

FAQs

What does it mean to "increase prices"?

To "increase prices" means to raise the amount of money that is charged for goods or services.

What can I say instead of "increase prices"?

You can use alternatives like "raise prices", "hike prices", or "bump up prices" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "increase prices" or "increase the price"?

"Increase prices" is generally used when referring to a general adjustment across multiple items or services. "Increase the price" is used for a specific item.

What are common reasons for companies to "increase prices"?

Companies may "increase prices" due to factors like rising production costs, increased demand, or market inflation.