increment

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'increment' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is most often used as a verb to describe the act of increasing in number, quantity, or size. Example sentence: With each passing year, the company experienced an increment in sales.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

There is a new gateway at each incremental point and every year you have to demonstrate that you are at the appropriate level of competency to be moved up an increment.

The Guardian

These techniques maximise the transactive capacity of the urban fabric, wrest the very last increment of value from the energy invested in the production of manufactured goods, and allow millions to eke a living, however precarious, from the most unpromising of circumstances.

The Guardian

Tamkeen will even pay a wage increment for local employees for the first year.

The Economist

More surprising is the country that increased its consumption by the second-largest increment: Saudi Arabia, which upped its oil-guzzling by 1.2m b/d.

The Economist

In the chart shown, each increment represents an extra $10,000.

The Economist

But plot the data another way, on a logarithmic scale where each increment represents a 100% increase in income per head, and the relationship between wealth and happiness looks more robust.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

These "developer contributions" have now disappeared, and recession means that Edinburgh, like most councils, cannot sell surplus land and property to fill the hole.The city's solution is to copy a 50-year old American approach: the unlovely sounding tax-increment financing (TIF).

The Economist

I, like most other discerning fans, shall continue to enjoy Spanish and English football.Narayanan RamanKuala LumpurTaxing problemSIR – Your story on who pays and profits from transportation offers tax-increment financing (TIF) as a glimmer of hope from America ("Getting there faster", August 31st).

The Economist

This funding method, known as tax-increment financing, is common in America but has never been tried in British cities.It could transform how they operate.

The Economist

Mr Schleicher proposes a system of redistribution based on the relatively common institution of tax-increment financing (TIF).

The Economist

The number of staff receiving increments is reducing as more staff reach the top of their pay bands, which is when annual increments usually stop.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing improvements or increases, use "increment" to convey a sense of steady, gradual growth. For a more dramatic increase, consider using "surge" or "spike".

Common error

Be mindful of the grammatical role. "Increment" is a noun (an amount of increase) or a verb (to increase). Avoid using "increment" when you need the adverb "incrementally" (in small steps).

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "increment" is as a noun, denoting an amount by which something increases. It can also function as a verb, meaning to increase. Ludwig AI provides examples where "increment" is used to describe increases in various contexts, such as salary or numerical values.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

31%

News & Media

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "increment" is a versatile word that functions primarily as a noun to describe a quantifiable increase, and also as a verb to indicate the action of increasing something. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and common usage of "increment" across diverse fields, with strong representation in encyclopedias, news media, and scientific literature. When using "increment", ensure you're conveying the intended sense of gradual growth, and consider alternatives like "gradual increase" or "incremental growth" for similar meanings. Be mindful of its grammatical role to avoid common errors such as confusing it with "incrementally".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradual increase

Focuses on the step-by-step nature of the rise, emphasizing the process rather than a single amount.

incremental growth

Highlights the process of growing in small steps, suitable in contexts where development is being described.

stepwise addition

Emphasizes the addition occurring in distinct steps.

marginal gain

Suggests a small, sometimes barely noticeable, improvement.

slight uptick

Describes a small rise or increase, often used in economic or statistical contexts.

periodic boost

Implies a regular increase or improvement at intervals.

successive addition

Focuses on adding on something after the other.

measured increase

Suggests a controlled and deliberate rise, not haphazard.

progressive expansion

Indicates a gradual and unfolding enlargement or broadening.

staged escalation

Emphasizes a gradual and controlled rise in intensity or amount.

FAQs

How can I use "increment" in a sentence?

"Increment" can be a noun referring to an amount of increase (e.g., 'a yearly salary increment') or a verb meaning to increase by a step (e.g., 'the counter increments by one').

What are some synonyms for "increment"?

Alternatives to "increment" include "growth", "increase", and "augmentation", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say 'a small increment' or 'a large increment'?

Yes, it is correct. "Increment" refers to the amount of increase, so it can be modified by adjectives like "small" or "large" to indicate the size of the increase.

What's the difference between "increment" and "installment"?

"Increment" refers to an increase or addition, while "installment" refers to one of several payments made over a period of time. Though both involve a progressive addition, they apply to different contexts.