small uptick

USAGE SUMMARY

"small uptick" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a modest increase in something, such as a rise in a certain metric. For example, "We saw a small uptick in online profits last quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

On the retail side, things have stabilized; we're seeing a small uptick in leasing activity.

The New York Times

Midwest sales fell slightly, and there was a small uptick in the Northeast.

The New York Times

There was a small uptick in factory output in 2013 and 2014 but that has now gone into reverse.

The Guardian - Business

"When there is a small uptick in crime, it tends to look more prominent because the base level is so low," Mayor Alex Knopp said.

The New York Times

Moving back up the market to the midcaps, there was a small uptick for media group Chrysalis, which recently announced the sale of its radio arm.

The Guardian - Business

The latest unemployment report offered a mixed bag on the economy with stronger than expected job growth combined with a small uptick in the jobless rate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Places that showed relatively small declines, like Denver and Dallas, have shown correspondingly small upticks in prices.

The New York Times

With crime so low, even small upticks could easily cause a political headache for the new mayor, distracting from loftier parts of his agenda.

The New York Times

Any small "upticks" or "downticks" in temperature that last less than several hundred years in our compilation of paleoclimate data are probably not robust, as stated in the paper.

The New York Times

I'm not ready to say he takes a quantum leap, as he's most likely never going to have 35-homer power, but small upticks across the board seem a given, and he could reach.290-25-90 .290-25-90 .290-25-90

The New York Times

Can anyone realistically argue that a few small upticks in a handful of economic indicators are a sign that the recession is over?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends, use "small uptick" to indicate a modest positive change. Be specific about what is experiencing the uptick to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "small uptick" when the increase is substantial or statistically significant. Overusing the term can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small uptick" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. The adjective "small" qualifies the noun "uptick", indicating a limited or minor increase. Ludwig provides ample examples where this phrase serves as a subject, object, or part of a prepositional phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small uptick" is a common and correct way to describe a modest increase or improvement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used in news, business, and scientific contexts. When using "small uptick", be sure to clearly specify what is experiencing the increase and avoid overstating its significance. Semantically related alternatives include "slight increase", "minor rise", and "modest improvement". While this phrase is generally neutral, context dictates its suitability, and it's most at home in professional or journalistic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight increase

Replaces "uptick" with a more general term for increase, implying a similar modest change.

minor rise

Substitutes both "small" and "uptick" with synonyms, maintaining the meaning of a minimal upward trend.

modest improvement

Focuses on the positive aspect of the change, framing it as an improvement rather than a mere increase.

marginal gain

Highlights the minimal nature of the gain, emphasizing that it's barely noticeable.

tiny boost

Uses "boost" to suggest a slight positive push or influence, keeping the idea of a small increment.

gradual climb

Emphasizes the slow and steady nature of the increase, implying it's not sudden or significant.

limited growth

Highlights the constrained or restricted nature of the growth, underlining its small scale.

narrow advance

Implies a forward movement that is small in scope or extent.

gentle upswing

Uses "upswing" as a synonym for uptick, while "gentle" further emphasizes the slight nature of the change.

insignificant increase

Directly states that the increase is not important or noteworthy.

FAQs

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

You can use "small uptick" to describe a minor increase in various contexts. For example, "The company reported a "small uptick" in sales this quarter".

What are some alternatives to "small uptick"?

Some alternatives include "slight increase", "minor rise", or "modest improvement", depending on the context.

Is "small uptick" formal or informal?

"Small uptick" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more common in business and news reporting.

Which is correct, "small uptick" or "slight upturn"?

Both "small uptick" and "slight upturn" are correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific context.