increase slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "increase slightly" is correct and usable in written English and it can be used to describe an increase that is not significant or dramatic.
For example, you could say "The sales of the product increased slightly over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Retail sales increase slightly (pdf).

The New York Times

Government negotiators have offered a 7.25% increase, slightly above inflation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Essentially, is the BBC Online budget likely to increase slightly in real terms by 2013?

The Guardian

The measure would increase slightly the amount of income that is exempt from the alternative tax.

The New York Times

The total budget would increase slightly, to $24.1 billion from Mr. McGreevey's original $23.7 billion plan.

The New York Times

Class size did increase slightly for middle and high school grades.

The New York Times

The salaries are to increase slightly on Monday because of cost-of-living adjustments.

The New York Times

"There is a modest risk that unemployment could increase slightly and wage gains stagnate.

The Guardian - Business

Though these would increase slightly, they would also be geared more to create employment.

The New York Times

Parathormone secretion tends to increase slightly with age, but serum calcium concentrations do not significantly change.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the very deep ocean basins, the temperature may be observed to increase slightly with depth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "increase slightly", ensure the context provides a clear baseline for comparison. For example, specify what is increasing and over what period, providing clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "increase slightly" when the change is actually substantial. This can mislead readers and undermine your credibility. Quantify the increase whenever possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increase slightly" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a modifier to describe the action of a verb. It indicates that something is growing or rising to a small degree. Ludwig confirms this is correct and appropriate in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "increase slightly" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a modest increment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used and appropriate in various contexts. Predominantly featured in science and news media, this expression offers a neutral tone, suitable for accurately portraying minor changes. When using this phrase, ensure the degree of change is indeed small to avoid misleading your audience. Consider quantifying the increment to enhance precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rise marginally

Replaces "increase" with "rise" and "slightly" with "marginally", both suggesting a small degree of change.

grow a little

Uses more informal terms to convey a small increment.

improve marginally

Suggests a small positive change or betterment.

ascend gradually

Implies a slow and steady increase.

edge up a bit

A more colloquial expression for a slight rise.

creep up slowly

Suggests a very gradual and almost imperceptible increase.

tick up incrementally

Highlights that the rise happens in small steps.

inch upward

Conveys movement by small degrees.

see a modest gain

Focuses on the result of a small increment, using "gain" instead of "increase".

experience a mild upturn

Implies a gentle and positive change in trend.

FAQs

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

You can use "increase slightly" to describe a small rise or increment. For example, "The temperature "increased slightly" overnight".

What are some alternatives to saying "increase slightly"?

Alternatives include "rise marginally", "grow a little", or "improve marginally" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "increase slightly" in formal writing?

Yes, "increase slightly" is suitable for formal writing when describing a small increase. However, consider quantifying the increase for greater precision.

What's the difference between "increase slightly" and "increase significantly"?

"Increase slightly" indicates a minor change, while "increase significantly" implies a substantial and noteworthy change. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the increase.