small increase

USAGE SUMMARY

"small increase" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a slight increase in something, usually a number or amount. For example, "There has been a small increase in the number of people attending classes this semester."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It represents a small increase from 2009.

The New York Times

There was a small increase in diabetes.

The New York Times - Health

President Clinton's latest budget proposal requests only a small increase.

The New York Times

In recent years there has been a small increase.

The Guardian

This is a very small increase in risk".

The Guardian

The N.H.L. would be happy with a small increase.

The New York Times - Sports

April, as a result, showed a small increase, 0.1percentt.

The New York Times

There may be a small increase in the prices charged".

The Guardian - Travel

The forecast is a small increase over last year's performance.

The New York Times

The results were worse than the small increase economists expected.

The New York Times

This year, there has been a small increase in circulation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "small increase", consider quantifying it with specific numbers or percentages to provide context and clarity. For example, "a small increase of 2%".

Common error

Avoid using "small increase" to describe changes that are actually significant. Ensure the adjective accurately reflects the scale of the change to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small increase" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "small" modifies the noun "increase". It describes a minor upward change in quantity or value. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small increase" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a minor positive change. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, including news reporting and scientific studies. While primarily functioning as a noun phrase to inform, it is essential to quantify the "small increase" with specific numbers or percentages, when possible, to ensure clarity and avoid overstating the impact. For alternatives, consider options like "slight uptick" or "modest rise" depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small uptick

Similar to "slight uptick", but perhaps slightly more informal.

slight uptick

Indicates a mild upward trend, emphasizing the gentle nature of the increase.

modest rise

Highlights the limited extent of the upward movement.

marginal growth

Focuses on the incremental nature of the growth, suggesting it's barely perceptible.

minor improvement

Emphasizes the positive change, though limited in scale.

gradual increase

Stresses the slowness and steadiness of the increase.

tiny increment

Draws attention to the extremely small size of the added amount.

insignificant gain

Highlights that the increase is so small it's almost negligible.

limited expansion

Points out the constrained nature of the growth.

negligible increase

Implies the increase is so small that it's hardly worth mentioning.

FAQs

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

You can use "small increase" to describe a slight positive change in a quantity or value. For example, "There was a small increase in sales this quarter" or "The new policy resulted in a small increase in customer satisfaction".

What are some alternatives to "small increase"?

Some alternatives to "small increase" include "slight uptick", "modest rise", or "marginal growth". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "small increase"?

"Small increase" is appropriate when the change being described is relatively minor. If the increase is substantial, consider using terms like "significant increase" or "considerable growth" instead.

Is there a difference between "small increase" and "slight increase"?

The phrases "small increase" and "slight increase" are largely interchangeable. Both indicate a minor positive change. The choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic variation.