incremental increase

USAGE SUMMARY

"incremental increase" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a gradual or small amount of increase that is done incrementally or over a period of time. For example: The company is implementing an incremental increase in wages for their employees over the next three months.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Productivity improved 30 percent with an incremental increase in face-to-face communication, Dr. Pentland said.

The New York Times

"And we'd talk about reasonable compensation based on the PGA's incremental increase in revenues".

The New York Times - Sports

Since then there has been an incremental increase, with more pressure piled on.

The Guardian

A stimulus is not a stimulus unless it causes an incremental increase in aggregate spending.

The New York Times

According to economic theory, the incremental increase in consumers' spending from this discrete increase in income would indeed be small.

The New York Times

The experimental results show an incremental increase in grain size and (100 -surface texture with an increase in scan number.

Columbia University

Rather, they reflect an incremental increase that shifted as the fighting moved from sparsely-populated areas to urban centers.

The New York Times

It sounds as if the incremental increase in patients may not be profitable, and the concept can easily be imitated.

Harvard Business Review

"I think incremental increase in knowledge is more rewarded and accepted easily because it follows that line of thought – it's the next step," Arany said.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The 18th MLS season kicked off with an incremental increase in expectation about the potential contribution of the players added to club rosters via the homegrown rule.

The Guardian - Sport

"Any incremental increase in demand from Asia, or particularly from the United States, is going to generate an export-led industrial recovery".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incremental increase" to highlight the gradual nature of the change, contrasting it with sudden or dramatic shifts.

Common error

Avoid using "incremental increase" when describing substantial or rapid growth. The term implies a small, gradual change, so using it for larger increases can be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incremental increase" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a process or state of gradual growth or addition, as showcased by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incremental increase" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that signifies a gradual and measured growth. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for describing slow, steady progress across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. The phrase enjoys wide acceptance and is often used to contrast with more rapid or dramatic changes. When using "incremental increase", consider quantifying the change with specific numbers or percentages for clarity. Alternatives like "gradual rise" or "small increment" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Avoid using it to describe rapid growth to prevent miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small increment

Simple alternative that directly focuses on the size of the increase.

gradual rise

Emphasizes the slowness and steadiness of the increase.

slight augmentation

Focuses on a small addition or improvement.

marginal gain

Highlights the smallness of the benefit or profit achieved.

progressive growth

Stresses the continuous and forward-moving nature of the increase.

stepwise addition

Implies an increase occurring in distinct, measured steps.

creeping expansion

Suggests a slow and almost imperceptible growth.

piecemeal escalation

Emphasizes that the increase occurs in small, separate portions.

modest uptick

Indicates a small and often temporary increase.

measured advance

Highlights the controlled and deliberate nature of the increase.

FAQs

How can I use "incremental increase" in a sentence?

You can use "incremental increase" to describe a small, gradual rise in something. For example, "The company saw an incremental increase in profits this quarter".

What is a good alternative to "incremental increase"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "gradual rise", "slight augmentation", or "small increment".

Is "incremental increase" formal or informal?

The phrase "incremental increase" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage depends more on the subject matter than the setting.

What's the difference between "incremental increase" and "exponential growth"?

"Incremental increase" refers to a slow, gradual increase, while "exponential growth" describes a rapid, accelerating increase. They represent different patterns of growth.