increased a bit

USAGE SUMMARY

"increased a bit" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a slight increase in something. For example, "They saw an increase in profits last quarter, albeit only a small one - it increased a bit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Household happiness has increased a bit.

MIT Technology Review

Most recruiters agree that the flow increased a bit over the last year.

The New York Times

Predominantly, the same MOR sentimentalist he was before, with the tempo increased a bit.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Those who carpooled and those who used public transportation increased a bit.

The New York Times

Since then German spending has increased a bit and is now running at 45% of GDP.

The Economist

Life expectancy has increased a bit in low- and middle-income countries.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

The number may increase a bit the year after that, but it will be nowhere close to 200,000 or 250,000.

The Washington Post

The Red Raiders (4-0) were allowing just 160.3 yards, and that will increase a bit after the Red Raiders gave up 189 yards in a 24-13 victory at Iowa State.

The New York Times

When the new plasma machine gears up — with much more SF6 than before — that total is likely to increase a bit, Mr. Sheneman said.

The New York Times

You are right that the black hole at the center of the galaxy is increasing in mass as material falls onto it; this causes the Schwarzchild radius to increase a bit as well.

Cornell University

The results of double-objective optimization problem indicate that in different climates, even though the total building electricity consumption increases a bit about 2.9 11.3%, the PPD significantly decreases about 49.1 56.8% compared to the baseline model.

Energy and Buildings

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "increased a bit" when you want to convey that there has been a small, often barely noticeable, rise in something. It's suitable for informal and neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "increased a bit" when the increase is actually substantial. Using it in such cases can mislead your audience and undermine the impact of the actual change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increased a bit" primarily functions as a verb phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a slight augmentation or rise in the quality, state, or quantity being described. It is commonly used to express a moderate change.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

28%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "increased a bit" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating a slight increase, as confirmed by Ludwig. While it is versatile, its usage is most prevalent in news, media and scientific contexts. It is essential to recognize its informal tone and, according to Ludwig AI, use it judiciously in formal writing, opting for more precise language when necessary. Alternatives like "rose slightly" or "improved marginally" can offer similar nuances. When using the phrase, ensure that the described increase is genuinely minor to avoid misleading your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widened a bit

Replaces "increased" with "widened", suggesting a broadening rather than a general increase.

raised a bit

Substitutes "increased" with "raised", implying an upward adjustment or elevation.

broadened a bit

Similar to "widened a bit", but may refer to scope or range rather than physical width.

gained a bit

Replaces "increased" with "gained", suggesting an acquisition or addition.

heightened a bit

Substitutes "increased" with "heightened", implying an intensification or elevation of something abstract like emotion or awareness.

grew a bit

Replaces "increased" with "grew", suggesting a natural or organic development.

expanded slightly

Uses "expanded" to indicate growth in size or scope, and "slightly" to mirror "a bit".

rose slightly

Employs "rose" to suggest an upward movement or increase, coupled with "slightly" for a minor degree.

improved marginally

Indicates an increase in quality or condition using "improved", with "marginally" denoting a small extent.

developed incrementally

Suggests a gradual increase or progression using "developed", emphasizing the step-by-step nature with "incrementally".

FAQs

How can I use "increased a bit" in a sentence?

You can use "increased a bit" to describe a slight rise or augmentation in something. For instance, "The temperature "increased a bit" this afternoon" or "Her confidence "increased a bit" after receiving positive feedback."

What are some alternatives to saying "increased a bit"?

Alternatives to "increased a bit" include phrases like "rose slightly", "grew a little", or "improved marginally", depending on the context. These options offer similar meanings with subtle differences in nuance.

Is it appropriate to use "increased a bit" in formal writing?

While "increased a bit" is grammatically correct, it might be too informal for certain types of formal writing. In those cases, consider using more precise and formal alternatives, such as "demonstrated a marginal increase" or "experienced a slight rise".

What's the difference between "increased a bit" and "increased significantly"?

"Increased a bit" indicates a small, often barely noticeable, change. In contrast, "increased significantly" suggests a substantial and noteworthy change. The choice depends on the magnitude of the increase you want to convey.