minor increase

USAGE SUMMARY

"minor increase" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to express that something has increased, but only very slightly. For example, "Sales figures show a minor increase since last month."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The study predicts a minor increase in air fares for domestic business travel next year.

The New York Times

"There's a general minor increase in blood pressure," Dr. Feczko said.

The New York Times

That's a relatively minor increase, but the difference is the $20.5 million is guaranteed.

The New York Times

Many people fear that even a minor increase in international migration will wreck their own economies and societies.

The Guardian

Despite a minor increase in the life expectancy for both men and women, rates of chronic disease remain unchanged.

The Guardian - Opinion

Only a nation of cowards would buy a minor increase in personal safety by establishing a vast system of federal government surveillance.

The New York Times

"I wouldn't say it's been a huge rise, but there's been a minor increase each year in concussions and similar head injuries," Halpen said in a telephone interview.

The New York Times - Sports

The results indicated only a minor increase in load during the extraction of the longwall panel.

International Journal of Mining Science and Technology

Serum antibody levels against AAV2 vector exhibited a minor increase after infusion.

Experimental Neurology

In the scenario run Tmin, there is a minor increase of +0.9°C on average.

Environmental Sciences Europe

The TOC has a minor increase first and then decreases substantially until a balance is reached.

Petroleum Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "minor increase", quantify the increase whenever possible (e.g., "a minor increase of 0.5%") to provide more context and precision for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "minor increase" when the actual increase is substantial. Overstating a "minor increase" can undermine credibility and mislead the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minor increase" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "minor" modifies the noun "increase". Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and its capacity to describe a minimal degree of change. It often serves as a subject or object in sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minor increase" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase that describes a slight positive change. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability and correctness in written English. Predominantly found in science and news contexts, the phrase offers a balanced tone suitable for both professional and neutral communications. When using "minor increase", ensure the modifier accurately reflects the degree of change and, when possible, provide specific numerical values for improved clarity. Remember that while interchangeable with similar alternatives like "slight uptick" or "marginal growth", avoid overstating its significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight uptick

Replaces "increase" with "uptick", implying a small upward trend.

small rise

Uses simpler terms to convey the same meaning of a slight increase.

marginal growth

Substitutes "minor" with "marginal" and "increase" with "growth", both indicating a small amount.

modest gain

Replaces "minor increase" with words suggesting a humble positive change.

minimal improvement

Focuses on a slight enhancement or betterment.

limited augmentation

Implies the increase is restricted or not very extensive.

insignificant rise

Indicates the increase is not important or impactful.

negligible increment

Indicates an increase so small it's almost insignificant.

tiny escalation

Emphasizes the extremely small size of the increase.

subtle expansion

Highlights the increase is not immediately obvious.

FAQs

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

You can use "minor increase" to describe a slight rise in a quantity or value, such as "The company reported a "minor increase" in sales this quarter".

What are some alternatives to "minor increase"?

Alternatives to "minor increase" include "slight uptick", "marginal growth", or "small rise". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "minor increase" in formal writing?

Yes, "minor increase" is appropriate for formal writing. However, ensure the adjective accurately reflects the actual amount of change and provide quantifiable data if possible for better clarity.

What's the difference between "minor increase" and "significant increase"?

"Minor increase" indicates a small, relatively unimportant rise, while "significant increase" implies a substantial and noteworthy rise. Use the phrase that best reflects the magnitude of the change.