increases

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "increases" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a rise or growth in quantity, size, or degree of something. Example: "The study shows that the number of participants in the program increases each year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And the looming combination of tax increases and spending cuts looks easily large enough to push America back into recession.

The New York Times

Prime Minister José Sócrates, a Socialist, will rely on tax increases and cuts in public-sector wages and corporate subsidies.

The New York Times

Last June, the IPCC Fifth Assessment report warned of larger "near-term increases in seasonal mean and annual mean temperatures" in the region.

The Guardian

He may be poorer but wiser: research in recent years from both Harvard and the University of British Columbia shows that giving away money to others increases happiness.

The Guardian - Opinion

It also should be positive for sentiment because it would allow investors to focus on the Indian operations where the news around price increases has been encouraging.

The Guardian - Business

As a result, producers increase output and employ more people so that employment increases.

The Guardian

In this view, those with the broadest shoulders take the pain while those on benefits don't enjoy increases higher than pay rises for those in work.

The Guardian

"These increases are a heavy burden on our constituents," added Phil Gingrey of Georgia, who pressed Sebelius for more detail on how those facing financial hardship will avoid government penalties for failing to sign up.

The Guardian

(Told you it was complicated; essentially, pensions, benefits and tax credits now use a lower measure of inflation to calculate their annual increases).

The Guardian - Opinion

The excise increase had been scheduled to take effect from 1 August, and will now occur on 10 November, with further inflation-linked increases on 1 February and 1 August 2015.

The Guardian

He caused anger among welfare campaigners by scrapping an increase in child tax credits that will result in an additional 100,000 children dropping below the government's poverty line, and was accused of provoking unions by setting a two-year 1% ceiling on public sector pay increases – well below the current inflation rate.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotation of "increases" against alternatives like "rises" or "grows"; "increases" is generally neutral, while others may carry subtle implications about the nature of the change.

Common error

Avoid using "increases" with uncountable nouns where "rises" or "grows" would be more appropriate. For example, prefer "The level of pollution rises" over "The level of pollution increases".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "increases" is as a third-person singular present tense verb, indicating an action performed by a singular subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, supported by numerous examples in the dataset.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "increases" functions as a third-person singular verb, predominantly used in neutral contexts to denote a rise or growth. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. When choosing an alternative, consider nuances: "rises" for direct synonyms, "grows" for gradual development, and "escalates" for rapid increases. The writing guidance emphasizes clear context and appropriate usage with countable nouns, while avoiding less suitable uncountable nouns. With its prevalence in news and media, mastering "increases" empowers effective communication across diverse domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rises

This alternative is a more direct synonym, often used for numerical or measurable quantities.

grows

This alternative emphasizes a gradual development or expansion.

escalates

This alternative implies a rapid or dramatic increase, often in a negative context.

expands

This alternative suggests an increase in size or scope.

multiplies

This alternative indicates a rapid increase in number or quantity.

augments

This alternative implies adding to something to make it larger or more complete.

inflates

This alternative suggests an artificial or excessive increase, often in prices or values.

intensifies

This alternative focuses on an increase in strength or degree.

amplifies

This alternative indicates making something louder or more pronounced, but can also be used metaphorically.

accumulates

This alternative suggests a gradual gathering or building up of something over time.

FAQs

How do I use "increases" in a sentence?

Use "increases" to indicate a rise or growth in quantity, size, or degree. For example, "The population "increases" every year."

What are some alternatives to saying "increases"?

You can use alternatives like "rises", "grows", or "escalates" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "increases" or "increase"?

"Increases" is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb "increase". Use "increases" when the subject is singular (e.g., "The temperature increases"). Use "increase" for plural subjects or other verb tenses.

What's the difference between "increases" and "rises"?

Both "increases" and "rises" indicate upward movement or growth, but "increases" is generally more formal and can imply a deliberate action or process, while "rises" can be more neutral and suggest a natural occurrence.