slight increase

USAGE SUMMARY

"slight increase" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a small increase in something such as a temperature or population. Here is an example sentence: Over the past year, there has been a slight increase in the yearly average temperature.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A further 13% report a slight increase.

The Guardian

The Dow had a slight increase; the S.& P. dipped.

The New York Times

There was even a slight increase in English and maths.

The Guardian

That is a slight increase from this year's capital spending.

The New York Times

(Its most recent broadcast, though, showed a slight increase).

The New York Times - Arts

Exports were largely responsible for the slight increase.

The New York Times

Last year, there was a slight increase in population.

The New York Times

The number is a slight increase over 2008.

The New York Times

These days, however, there is movement in the market — propelled by a slight increase in foreclosures.

The New York Times

But in absolute numbers, psychotherapy's popularity remained steady, and even experienced a slight increase.

The New York Times

Predictions this year range from a slight increase to a moderate decline.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slight increase", quantify the increase if possible. For example, "a slight increase of 2%" provides more clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "slight increase" when the increase is actually significant. Use stronger terms like "substantial growth" or "considerable rise" to reflect the true magnitude.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight increase" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig examples show it describing changes in quantities, values, or intensities. It is grammatically correct and readily understood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slight increase" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a small positive change. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely used across news, science, and business. While semantically similar alternatives like "small rise" or "modest uptick" exist, "slight increase" maintains a neutral register appropriate for objective reporting. Remember to quantify the increase if possible and avoid overstating the actual magnitude. Its frequent occurrence in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and acceptance in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small rise

Emphasizes the upward direction and small magnitude.

minor growth

Focuses on the developmental or expansive aspect of the increase.

marginal increment

Highlights the barely perceptible nature of the increase.

modest uptick

Suggests a small, but noticeable positive change.

limited expansion

Emphasizes the restricted nature of the growth.

gentle climb

Implies a gradual and steady upward movement.

subtle improvement

Highlights the understated and delicate nature of the change.

inconspicuous gain

Emphasizes the difficulty in noticing the increase.

fractional addition

Focuses on the small, fractional amount added.

insignificant uptick

Stresses the lack of importance or impact of the increase.

FAQs

How to use "slight increase" in a sentence?

You can use "slight increase" to describe a small rise in quantity, value, or intensity. For example: "There has been a slight increase in sales this quarter".

What can I say instead of "slight increase"?

You can use alternatives like "small rise", "minor growth", or "modest uptick" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "slight increase" or "slightly increase"?

"Slight increase" is a noun phrase, while "slightly increase" is a verb phrase. Use "slight increase" to refer to the noun, and "slightly increase" to describe the action of increasing something by a small amount.

What's the difference between "slight increase" and "moderate increase"?

"Slight increase" indicates a smaller change than "moderate increase". The choice depends on the magnitude of the increase you want to convey.