increase the number

USAGE SUMMARY

"increase the number" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a change in the amount of something, such as people, items, or things. Example: We need to increase the number of volunteers this year in order to reach our goal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That would increase the number of foreclosures.

The New York Times

"We have committed to increase the number of investigations fivefold.

The Guardian - Business

Simply increase the number of teams promoted from the Championship.

The Guardian - Sport

New technology also tends to increase the number of procedures.

The New York Times

This is to increase the number of cabs.

The New York Times

$29.6 MILLION to increase the number of school safety officers.

The New York Times

Both places want to increase the number of advance directives.

The New York Times

Climate change will increase the number of malnourished children substantially.

The Guardian

In coming years, Montana may increase the number.

The New York Times - Travel

"The horrible irony here," Smith said during her testimony, "is that defunding Planned Parenthood would increase the number of unintended pregnancies and drastically … increase the number of abortions".

The Guardian

Nor did Woods increase the number of people playing golf.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to be concise, consider rephrasing to avoid redundancy. For instance, instead of saying "increase the number of employees", you might say "expand the workforce."

Common error

While grammatically sound, excessively using the phrase "increase the number" in formal writing can sound repetitive. Vary your language by employing synonyms such as "augment", "expand", or "grow" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increase the number" serves as a directive or descriptive phrase, primarily functioning to express the act of making a quantity larger. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and the numerous examples demonstrate its common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "increase the number" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the act of making a quantity larger. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, and the extensive examples from diverse sources—including news outlets, scientific publications, and business documents—underscore its versatility. While suitable for most contexts, varying your language with synonyms like "grow", "expand", or "augment" can enhance the sophistication of your writing, particularly in formal settings. Remember to tailor your vocabulary to the specific tone and audience for optimal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

augment the quantity

Replaces "increase" with "augment" and "number" with "quantity", emphasizing addition.

grow the number

Substitutes "increase" with "grow", implying a more organic expansion.

expand the amount

Uses "expand" instead of "increase" and "amount" instead of "number", focusing on the extent.

boost the count

Replaces "increase" with "boost" and "number" with "count", suggesting a rapid rise.

multiply the quantity

Replaces "increase" with "multiply", indicating a more significant and rapid growth.

raise the total

Substitutes "increase" with "raise" and "number" with "total", focusing on the final sum.

enlarge the volume

Uses "enlarge" instead of "increase" and "volume" instead of "number", implying a physical expansion.

escalate the figure

Replaces "increase" with "escalate" and "number" with "figure", suggesting a dramatic rise in a statistic.

inflate the amount

Substitutes "increase" with "inflate" and "number" with "amount", often implying an artificial increase.

magnify the sum

Replaces "increase" with "magnify" and "number" with "sum", emphasizing a visual or impactful increase.

FAQs

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

You can use "increase the number" when you want to express an action or a plan to raise the amount of something. For example, "We need to "increase the number" of volunteers this year."

What are some alternatives to saying "increase the number"?

Alternatives to "increase the number" include phrases like "grow the number", "expand the amount", or "augment the quantity". The best choice depends on the context and desired nuance.

Is it grammatically correct to say "rise the number" instead of "increase the number"?

While "rise the number" might seem like a direct substitute, it is not standard English. The correct phrasing is to "increase the number", or alternatively, use a phrase like "the number will rise".

What is the difference between "increase the number" and "raise the number"?

"Increase the number" and "raise the number" are often interchangeable. However, "raise the number" may be more suitable when you're actively causing the increase, while "increase the number" can also describe a natural growth.