increasing and decreasing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "increasing and decreasing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe changes in quantity, size, or intensity, often in contexts such as mathematics, economics, or general observations of trends. Example: "The population of the city has been increasing and decreasing over the past decade, reflecting various economic factors."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Akt activation is linked to myogenesis and atrophy, with its activity increasing and decreasing, respectively.

Nature

The increasing and decreasing times were fixed at 1 min and 10 s, respectively.

Nature

We studied three different profiles: constant, increasing and decreasing.

Optics & Laser Technology

Humans are both increasing and decreasing top-heaviness in nature with ecological consequences.

Stanford University

This is the first time that astronomers have seen both increasing and decreasing X-ray emission in the same structures.

Harvard University

The researchers tested the role of BAF60c by both increasing and decreasing its function in various experiments in live mice.

University of California, Berkeley

The first movement, "Disputation," traced an arc of increasing and decreasing agitation; the second, "Elegy," contained poignant laments for three friends.

The New York Times - Arts

Stress tests include repeated power outages, and rapidly increasing and decreasing flow rates.

Journal of Crystal Growth

Only small portions of the global domain show significant changes in water supply (9% and 6% for increasing and decreasing supply, respectively).

Nature

This process was repeated at least 3 times (maximum of 20 indentations), alternating between increasing and decreasing the force difference (Supplementary Methods S1 for full procedure).

Nature

Exempt income and non-deductible expenses also affect basis - increasing and decreasing respectively.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends, use "increasing and decreasing" to convey a dynamic and fluctuating pattern, rather than a unidirectional change. For example, "The company's profits were "increasing and decreasing" throughout the year due to market volatility."

Common error

Avoid using "increasing and decreasing" when describing a trend that consistently moves in one direction. For example, if sales are consistently increasing, it's more accurate to say "sales were steadily increasing" rather than "sales were increasing and decreasing."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increasing and decreasing" functions as a descriptive modifier, often used to characterize nouns or processes that exhibit fluctuation or variability. As Ludwig AI highlights, it accurately portrays dynamic changes, seen across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

Academia

21%

News & Media

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "increasing and decreasing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe fluctuations or oscillations, especially in scientific, academic, and news-related contexts. As Ludwig AI points out, it effectively communicates dynamic changes, and its proper use avoids misrepresenting unidirectional trends. When choosing an alternative, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, such as a cyclical pattern ( "rising and falling") or a more gradual shift ( "waxing and waning"). Ensuring accurate usage based on context will lead to clearer and more precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rising and falling

Emphasizes cyclical movement, suggesting a repeated pattern of ascent and descent.

waxing and waning

Implies a more gradual and cyclical change, often used in the context of light or emotions.

fluctuating

Highlights the instability and variability of something over time.

oscillating

Suggests a regular back-and-forth movement between two extremes.

growing and shrinking

Focuses on changes in size or quantity.

expanding and contracting

Similar to growing and shrinking, but often used in a more formal or technical context.

ebbing and flowing

Suggests a natural rhythm, similar to the tides.

alternating

Highlights the switch between two states or conditions.

varying

Indicates a lack of consistency and a tendency to change.

going up and down

A simpler and more direct way to describe fluctuation.

FAQs

How can I use "increasing and decreasing" in a sentence?

Use "increasing and decreasing" to describe something that fluctuates over time. For instance, "The stock market experienced "increasing and decreasing" volatility after the news announcement."

What are some alternatives to "increasing and decreasing"?

Alternatives include "rising and falling", "waxing and waning", or simply "fluctuating", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "increasing and decreasing"?

No, it is not redundant if you are describing a situation where there are genuine fluctuations. Redundancy would arise if you used it to describe a consistent upward or downward trend.

When is it appropriate to use "increasing and decreasing" versus "fluctuating"?

"Increasing and decreasing" emphasizes the two opposing movements, while "fluctuating" simply highlights the variability without specifying direction. Use "increasing and decreasing" when both upward and downward changes are important to note.