increased a little

USAGE SUMMARY

"increased a little" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it in any sentence where you are describing something as having increased slightly. For example: "Prices have increased a little over the past year due to inflation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Actual consumption has not dropped, indeed it may have increased a little.

The Guardian

"They increased a little, and I could not go," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Although transparency has increased a little, shame is still largely absent from Italian business.

The Economist

The decline is slowing in Germany, where hours even increased a little from 2003 to 2004.

The Economist

And the shift may be temporary: holiday shopping appears to have increased a little in 2009.

The New York Times

Even forest cover has increased a little over the past few decades.

The Economist

"Every day that I looked," she added, "my budget increased a little bit".

The New York Times

If gym, music and art classes were reduced, salaries of the remaining teachers could be increased a little.

The New York Times

Yet the game is still the same: only the intensity and consistency of bowling are increased a little.

The Guardian - Sport

Supply increased a little after the regime was relaxed in 2004, before levelling out in 2008 and dropping by about 12% in 2011, to beneath 2004 levels.

The Economist

The only thing that saved them was that revenues increased a little faster.The effect of the debt bubble was more insidious than it appeared at first glance.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "increased a little", consider whether a more precise quantifier would be more informative for your reader. For instance, instead of saying "Sales increased a little", you could say "Sales increased by 3%".

Common error

Avoid using "increased a little" when the actual increase is substantial. This can mislead the reader and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increased a little" functions as a modifier, specifically an adverbial phrase, that describes the extent of an action (increase). According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used to express a slight augmentation. It tells to what degree something has risen or grown.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "increased a little" is a versatile and commonly used expression that indicates a slight augmentation or growth. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, from scientific reports to news articles. While it's generally acceptable, it's essential to consider if a more precise quantifier or a more formal synonym might enhance clarity and precision. Remember to avoid overstating the significance when using this phrase and always consider the magnitude of the actual change you are describing. The most authoritative sources include The New York Times, The Economist, and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rose slightly

Indicates a minor increase, focusing on the action of rising.

grew marginally

Highlights the small degree of growth experienced.

edged up a bit

Implies a gradual and small upward movement.

inched upward slightly

Conveys a slow and almost imperceptible increase.

saw a minor uptick

Uses business/economic terminology to indicate a slight positive change.

improved marginally

Focuses on the improvement aspect, although to a small degree.

expanded by a fraction

Emphasizes the small portion by which the increase occurred.

ticked up a notch

Similar to edging up, but with a notch connotation, referring to a scale.

climbed incrementally

Highlights the gradual nature of the upward movement.

experienced a mild rise

Indicates a gentle or moderate upward trend.

FAQs

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

You can use "increased a little" to describe a slight augmentation or growth, for example: "The temperature "increased a little" overnight."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "rose slightly", "grew marginally", or "edged up a bit", depending on the context.

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

Yes, "increased a little" is generally acceptable in formal writing, but consider if a more precise measurement or a more formal synonym (like "improved marginally") might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "increased a little" and "increased a lot"?

"Increased a little" indicates a small change, while "increased a lot" suggests a significant or substantial change. The choice depends on the magnitude of the increase you want to convey.