tick up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tick up" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is usually used to refer to an increase in something, often an increase in speed or intensity. For example, "Sales have started to tick up as new customers come in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We knew we could just "tick up" his copy.

The Guardian

With economic growth starting to tick up after a weak spell, officials were in bullish mood.

The Economist

As the number of victims tick up, nine killed, two wounded, the frustration deepens.

The New York Times

As the days pass and the deaths tick up, more and more military families are venting.

The New York Times

As a result, consumer spending has begun to tick up, particularly for luxury items.

The New York Times

That growth rate, matching the forecast, is the barest tick up from the second quarter.

The New York Times

Until global interest rates start to tick up, HSBC's deposits will remain a drag on earnings.

The New York Times

It may tick up in coming years as the young people now in college graduate.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Tick-Up Stan stood outside selling marked racecards.

The Guardian - Sport

Even so, the sharp tick-up in corporate leverage ought to sound a warning to investors.

The Economist

"We've seen quite a tick-up in [sales of] painkillers and toilet rolls," Mr Potts said.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tick up", ensure the context clearly indicates what is increasing. For example, instead of just saying "Sales ticked up", specify "Sales of organic produce ticked up in Q3."

Common error

Avoid using "tick up" when referring to a large or dramatic increase. "Tick up" implies a small, gradual change. Use stronger verbs like "surge", "skyrocket", or "soar" to describe substantial growth.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "tick up" functions as an intransitive verb, indicating a slight increase or upward movement. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts. Examples show it used with subjects like "sales", "prices", and "numbers".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tick up" is a phrasal verb used to describe a slight increase. It is considered grammatically correct, as Ludwig AI confirms, and is very common, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing, remember that "tick up" implies a small, gradual change and should not be used for significant increases. Alternatives include "increase slightly" or "rise marginally". When constructing sentences, ensure that it is clear what is increasing. Overall, "tick up" is a valuable term for describing modest growth or change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase slightly

This alternative replaces the idiomatic "tick up" with a more straightforward and literal description of a small increase.

rise marginally

Similar to "increase slightly", this phrase uses "rise" to indicate an upward movement and "marginally" to emphasize the small extent of the increase.

edge upwards

This phrase uses "edge" to convey a gradual and tentative increase.

creep up slowly

This alternative emphasizes the gradual pace of the increase, suggesting a slow and almost imperceptible upward movement.

see a small gain

This phrase focuses on the outcome of the increase, highlighting the positive result of a slight gain.

inch its way up

This phrase uses "inch" to suggest a very slow and laborious increase.

move up a notch

This alternative implies a step-by-step increase, suggesting a movement from one level to the next.

climb incrementally

This phrase highlights the gradual and step-wise nature of the increase.

ascend gradually

Using "ascend" suggests a more formal and deliberate upward movement.

experience a modest uptick

This is a more formal and business-oriented alternative, using "uptick" as a synonym for a slight increase.

FAQs

How can I use "tick up" in a sentence?

Use "tick up" to describe a slight increase. For example, "After the marketing campaign, website traffic started to "tick up"." It's suitable for small increments.

What can I say instead of "tick up"?

You can use alternatives like "increase slightly", "rise marginally", or "edge upwards" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "tick up" or "ticked up"?

"Tick up" is the base form, use "ticked up" for past tense constructions. For instance, "The unemployment rate "ticked up" last month".

What's the difference between "tick up" and "surge"?

"Tick up" indicates a small, gradual increase, whereas "surge" implies a large, sudden increase. Choose the verb that accurately reflects the magnitude of the change.