increases over time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "increases over time" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when referring to something that gradually gets larger or more frequent as time passes. For example, "The demand for organic produce has increased over time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Gross margin, net profit margin and ROA all show increases over time.

Bplans

The uncertainty increases over time.

The New York Times

The value of such work only ever increases over time.

The Guardian - Arts

So its revenue increases over time, rather than decreases.

The Washington Post

The possibility of a hot, hungry fire increases over time.

The New York Times - Health

Some of this data is sensitive and the risk of exposure increases over time.

Stanford University

Proper health care saves lives, and the magnitude of the reduction in deaths increases over time.

The New Yorker

"Cost increases over time are largely attributed to use of interventions," the report said.

The Guardian

(The measure has remained unchanged aside from adjustments for price increases over time).

The New York Times

Typically, the ransom increases over time until a deadline when the files are supposedly destroyed.

MIT Technology Review

You can see how the accuracy of their forecasts increases over time.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "increases over time", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is increasing and the relevant timeframe. For example, specify "sales increased over time" or "the risk increased over time".

Common error

Avoid using "increases over time" without specifying what is increasing. The phrase is most effective when the subject of the increase is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increases over time" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of growth or escalation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound. Many examples show how it is used to describe trends or developments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "increases over time" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe growing trends across various domains. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and prevalence. It's particularly common in scientific and news contexts, as it describes dynamic processes. For effective use, remember to clearly specify the subject that is increasing and the relevant timeframe. While alternatives like "grows progressively" or "escalates with time" exist, "increases over time" provides a neutral and widely understood way to convey gradual growth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grows progressively

Emphasizes a gradual and continuous growth. This alternative changes the focus from a general increase to a progressive development.

escalates with time

Suggests a more rapid and potentially problematic increase. The change is the nuance of escalation, often implying urgency or concern.

accumulates gradually

Highlights the build-up or collection of something over a period. This suggests a passive accumulation, rather than an active increase.

expands incrementally

Focuses on the step-by-step expansion or addition over time. This emphasizes the small, regular additions.

intensifies as time passes

Implies a strengthening or deepening of something over time. It's a more dramatic and active alternative.

builds up steadily

Conveys a sense of consistent and reliable growth. The key difference is in the reliability and stability of the increase.

amplifies with duration

Suggests an increase in magnitude or significance as time extends. This highlights the growing impact over a longer period.

rises continuously

Emphasizes an unbroken and uninterrupted increase. The continuous nature of the increase is highlighted.

heightens over the years

Focuses on the long-term perspective of the increase. The emphasis is on a gradual and sustained increase.

advances incrementally

Implies progress in small steps as time moves forward. This emphasizes a more deliberate pace of advancement.

FAQs

How can I use "increases over time" in a sentence?

Use "increases over time" to describe a gradual growth or escalation. For example, "The demand for renewable energy "increases over time" as environmental awareness grows."

What are some alternatives to "increases over time"?

You can use alternatives like "grows progressively", "escalates with time", or "accumulates gradually" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "increases over time" or "increase over time"?

"Increases over time" is generally preferred when referring to a continuous process. "Increase over time" might be used as a noun phrase in specific constructions, but the former is more common.

What does it mean when something "increases over time"?

It means that the quantity, intensity, or frequency of something gets larger or more pronounced as time passes. This suggests a gradual change rather than an immediate one.