inflation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inflation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing economic conditions, specifically the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power. Example: "The central bank is concerned about rising inflation and its impact on the economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead, a Labour government will raise them at least in line with inflation in every budget".

The Guardian

I am highly sceptical about this: Nicky Morgan as education secretary, in my view, has shown no commitment to protect education spending, or allow for inflation or increased pupil numbers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the summer of 2007, she was one of the first at Federal Open Market Committee [FOMC] meetings to caution that the subprime mortgage crisis would lead to a recession, while others appeared more concerned about inflation.

The Guardian - Opinion

The OECD said this will prove more difficult in places such as Europe where there is near-zero inflation.

The Guardian - Business

(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

But unlike Britain, the long fall in house prices that began in 2007 is not over; in March, Spain's Instituto Nacional de Estadistica said they tumbled another 1.3% in the last three months of 2013, and that the annualised rate of price inflation was -7.8%.

The Guardian - Money

So the FTSE 100 is down 41.20 points at 6302.40, with little impact from UK inflation figures in line with forecasts.

The Guardian - Business

Changes to indexation arrangements for pensions – sidelined and set to be replaced Pension rises were to be indexed to inflation rather than a combination of inflation, the pensioner living cost index and as a percentage of average weekly male earnings.

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

Shelter suggested five year tenancies with rent rises linked to CPI inflation.

The Guardian

More recently, a report from the centre-right think tank Civitas also argued for rents to be held to inflation levels and indefinite tenancies to be offered as the norm.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "inflation", be specific about the type and context. For example, differentiate between demand-pull and cost-push inflation to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "inflation" when you actually mean deflation (a decrease in the general price level). Always double-check economic data to ensure accurate terminology.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "inflation" is as a noun. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising, and the purchasing power of currency is falling. Ludwig examples illustrate this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inflation" is a commonly used noun that refers to the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising in an economy. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and business contexts. While alternatives like "price increase" and "rising prices" exist, understanding the nuances of "inflation" is crucial for clear economic communication. Being aware of related terms like "deflation" and different types of "inflation" (demand-pull and cost-push) enhances precision in writing and analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

price increase

Focuses specifically on the rise in prices, a component of "inflation".

rising prices

Emphasizes the upward trend of prices over time, synonymous with "inflation".

cost of living increase

Highlights the impact of rising prices on the expenses of daily life.

devaluation of money

Describes the decrease in the purchasing power of currency, a direct consequence of "inflation".

monetary expansion

Refers to the increase in the money supply, which can contribute to "inflation".

economic overheating

Describes a situation where the economy is growing too fast, potentially leading to "inflation".

demand-pull inflation

Specifies a type of "inflation" caused by increased demand exceeding supply.

cost-push inflation

Specifies a type of "inflation" caused by increased production costs.

stagflation

Describes a situation of slow economic growth coupled with high "inflation".

hyperinflation

Refers to extremely rapid or out-of-control "inflation".

FAQs

How can I use "inflation" in a sentence?

You can use "inflation" in a sentence like this: "The central bank is trying to control "inflation" by raising interest rates." or "High "inflation" erodes purchasing power."

What are some alternatives to the word "inflation"?

Some alternatives to "inflation" include "price increase", "rising prices", or "cost of living increase" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "inflation" and "deflation"?

"Inflation" refers to a general increase in prices and a fall in the purchasing value of money, while "deflation" is the opposite – a general decrease in prices and an increase in the purchasing value of money.

What causes "inflation"?

"Inflation" can be caused by various factors, including increased demand for goods and services ("demand-pull inflation") or rising production costs ("cost-push inflation").