staggering increase

USAGE SUMMARY

'staggering increase' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe an increase in quantity or amount that is very large or marked. For example, "In the past year, there has been a staggering increase in the cost of living."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

That's a staggering increase.

The Guardian

That would be a staggering increase.

The New York Times

But Croatia is experiencing a staggering increase in human traffic.

The New York Times

In Nov., 1965 Gen. Westmoreland asked for a staggering increase in troops.

The New Yorker

Despite serious investor losses, a staggering increase in national wealth would result.

The New York Times

The European Union also issued a report finding a "staggering increase in protectionism" in recent months.

The New York Times

A staggering increase in paper worth has led to an even more staggering sense of paper opportunity.

The New York Times - Magazine

"That's a staggering increase, since we have never seen the quarterly average for condos exceed $700,000," Mr. Miller said.

The New York Times

This is because of the staggering increase in the number of rapes, murders, armed robberies, carjackings, and kidnappings.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Suicide rates have spiked across Europe since 2008, with Greece, in particular, experiencing staggering increases.

The Guardian

Combined, these have led to inflation in sentencing, damaging over-use of custody and staggering increases in the prison population - from just over 60,000 people in 1997 to more than 81,000 today.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "staggering increase" to emphasize a particularly large and surprising increase in a quantifiable metric.

Common error

While "staggering increase" is widely understood, it can sound overly dramatic in casual conversation. Opt for simpler terms like "big increase" or "significant rise" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "staggering increase" functions as a noun phrase, where "staggering" modifies the noun "increase". Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. The adjective "staggering" amplifies the degree or extent of the increase, conveying a sense of surprise or astonishment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "staggering increase" is a commonly used and grammatically correct term that signifies a remarkably large rise in something. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific publications. The analysis indicates that the phrase is most frequently encountered in "News & Media" and "Science", suggesting its versatility in describing significant changes across diverse fields. While highly versatile, it's wise to consider less dramatic wording in casual contexts. To reiterate, the phrase is a powerful tool for emphasizing the magnitude of an increase, making it an effective choice for drawing attention to significant trends or developments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

staggering rise

Uses the noun "rise" instead of "increase", maintaining the same meaning.

tremendous increase

Replaces "staggering" with "tremendous", suggesting a very large increase, similar in scale but perhaps slightly less surprising.

enormous increase

Highlights the sheer size or magnitude of the increase.

phenomenal increase

Suggests the increase is exceptional and remarkable.

startling increase

Highlights the shock or alarm caused by the increase.

stunning increase

Emphasizes the impressiveness or beauty of the increase, while still indicating it's substantial.

dizzying increase

Implies the increase is so rapid and large that it's overwhelming.

breathtaking increase

Emphasizes the impressive or awe-inspiring nature of the increase.

surprising increase

Focuses on the unexpected nature of the increase, rather than its size.

appalling increase

Focuses on the negative or undesirable aspects of the increase.

FAQs

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

You can use "staggering increase" to describe a substantial rise in numbers, such as, "There has been a staggering increase in the number of students applying to universities this year".

What can I say instead of "staggering increase"?

You can use alternatives like "tremendous increase", "significant rise", or "substantial growth" depending on the context.

Is "staggering increase" a formal phrase?

While "staggering increase" is used in formal writing, it can also appear in news reports and other general-interest publications. Its formality depends on the overall tone of the piece.

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

"Staggering increase" indicates a very large and often surprising rise, while "slight increase" describes a small and often expected rise.