increase the number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'increase the number of' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it in situations where you want to express the idea of increasing the quantity of something. For example, "We must increase the number of resources available to our students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That would increase the number of foreclosures.

The New York Times

Increase the number of points.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Increase the number of registered voters?

Yale University

Increase the number of interracial roommates.

The Washington Post

"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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "increase the number of" in formal writing, consider providing specific data or metrics to quantify the increase, making your statement more impactful and credible.

Common error

Avoid using "increase the number of" when a different verb might be more precise. For example, use "improve the quality of" if the goal is enhancement rather than just a numerical increase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increase the number of" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the action of making a quantity larger. Ludwig's examples show it's used across diverse contexts, confirming its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "increase the number of" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to denote the act of augmenting a quantifiable entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for diverse contexts, ranging from formal academic papers to informal discussions. While widely applicable, tailoring your language with alternatives like ""raise the amount of"" or ""expand the quantity of"" can refine your message. Always consider whether a numerical increase is truly the focus or if a different type of enhancement might be more relevant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raise the amount of

A simpler and more direct alternative, focusing on the "amount" rather than the count.

grow the supply of

Implies that something that is in short supply is getting bigger.

expand the quantity of

Uses "expand" and "quantity" to offer a more formal alternative.

augment the count of

Replaces "increase" with "augment" and "number" with "count" for a slightly more sophisticated tone.

amplify the total of

Uses "amplify" and "total" to suggest a significant expansion.

boost the volume of

Employs "boost" and "volume" for a less formal, more dynamic feel.

enlarge the aggregate of

Offers a more technical and formal way to express increasing a total.

maximize the sum of

Suggests aiming for the highest possible quantity.

build up the stock of

Implies gradually accumulating more of something.

inflate the figure of

Carries a nuance of artificial or disproportionate growth.

FAQs

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

You can use "increase the number of" to indicate a rise in quantity. For example, "We need to "increase the number of" qualified applicants for the position."

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

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "raise the amount of", "expand the quantity of", or "augment the count of".

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

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "increase the amount of" is generally used for uncountable nouns (e.g., water, money), whereas "increase the number of" is used for countable nouns (e.g., students, cars).

How does "increase the number of" compare to "improve the quality of"?

"Increase the number of" focuses on quantity, while "improve the quality of" focuses on enhancing the characteristics or standards of something. They address different aspects of enhancement.