increase the gap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "increase the gap" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to describe the act of making a difference or distance larger between two entities, such as in discussions about inequality, competition, or performance. Example: "The new policies are likely to increase the gap between the rich and the poor in our society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I knew that everyone was riding to increase the gap in front".

The New York Times - Sports

In Western terms, it's trying to increase the gap between impulse and saying or doing something you might regret later.

The New York Times - Health

This means that homework may increase the gap between students from middle-class and low-income homes.

The New York Times

If we go on pressing for maximalist religious values we will increase the gap between the generations.

The New York Times

Blair's experiment might have been well intentioned, but ultimately it helped increase the gap between rich and poor.

The Guardian

Further back down the road, Vini Fantini outrider Fabio Taborne is trying to increase the gap between himself and the peloton - he's about 50m clear of them.

The Guardian - Sport

Billionaire financier George Soros warned that the European Central Bank's €1.1tn (£800bn) quantitative easing programme announced on Thursday, would increase the gap between rich and poor.

The Guardian - Business

By inflating asset prices, Mr Abe's schemes could increase the gap between haves and have nots, Mr Piketty warned during his visit.

The Economist

And over the next 25 years, the growth of private pensions will increase the gap between those with a big retirement income and those with little (see chart).

The Economist

We are alarmed at being only a point above the relegation places, so now it is a case of trying to increase the gap between us and the cut-off as soon as possible".

The Guardian - Sport

A higher dollar would only increase the gap with the euro and the yen and force the Chinese to devalue the yuan, further loosening its ties to the dollar.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In competitive contexts, use "increase the gap" to illustrate the widening lead one competitor has over another. For instance, "The athlete's improved performance helped her increase the gap between herself and the other runners."

Common error

Avoid using "increase the gap" in situations where you mean to reduce differences. This phrase always refers to making a disparity larger, not smaller. For example, instead of saying 'The program aimed to increase the gap in educational achievement,' use 'The program aimed to close the gap in educational achievement'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increase the gap" functions as a verb phrase that typically introduces an action taken to enlarge a difference between two entities. As Ludwig AI explains, it is correctly used and is widely present in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "increase the gap" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the act of enlarging the difference or disparity between two entities. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. It appears most commonly in news and media, scientific publications, and formal business settings. While it's a versatile phrase, it's important to avoid using it when the intention is to reduce differences rather than enlarge them. Alternatives such as ""widen the gap"" or "amplify the disparity" can offer nuanced variations depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widen the gap

Uses "widen" instead of "increase", emphasizing the visual aspect of making something broader.

enlarge the divide

Replaces "gap" with "divide", suggesting a more significant separation, often in abstract contexts like social or political issues.

expand the margin

Employs "expand" and "margin", suitable when referring to a lead or advantage in a competitive scenario.

extend the difference

Uses "extend" and "difference", highlighting the act of making a disparity longer or more pronounced.

amplify the disparity

Substitutes "increase" with "amplify" and "gap" with "disparity", suggesting a notable growth in inequality or dissimilarity.

broaden the separation

Replaces "increase" with "broaden" and "gap" with "separation", indicating a widening of distance or disconnection.

escalate the distance

Uses "escalate" instead of "increase" to convey that the distance is dramatically going up.

magnify the space

Implies that the area in between elements is being made to look or seem larger.

heighten the contrast

Changes the original phrase with an expression which is usually used to compare differences between two or more elements.

aggravate the inequality

Replaces "increase the gap" with an alternative which can be used to describe a difference between the rich and the poor.

FAQs

What does "increase the gap" mean?

The phrase "increase the gap" means to enlarge the difference or disparity between two things, whether they are physical distances, abstract concepts, or quantifiable metrics.

How can I use "increase the gap" in a sentence?

You can use "increase the gap" to describe situations where a difference is growing. For example, "The economic downturn is likely to "widen the gap" between the rich and the poor".

Which is a more formal alternative to "increase the gap"?

A more formal alternative to "increase the gap" could be "amplify the disparity", which conveys a similar meaning with a more sophisticated vocabulary.

What's the difference between "increase the gap" and "close the gap"?

"Increase the gap" refers to making a difference larger, while "close the gap" refers to reducing or eliminating a difference. They are opposite in meaning.