tick up slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tick up slightly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small increase or rise in a particular measurement or statistic. Example: "The stock prices are expected to tick up slightly in the coming weeks as market conditions improve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Spending is expected to tick up slightly after the government mails out tax rebates in an effort to stimulate the economy.

The New York Times

Although revenue is likely to tick up slightly in 2011, federal stimulus money — which has been keeping many states afloat — is largely scheduled to expire.

The New York Times

Its stock price has begun to tick up slightly, but remember that it hasn't closed above $10 a share since Feb. 9, 1998.

Forbes

Most recently, VEREIT delivered a net loss of about $92 million for 2018, let its debt tick up slightly higher to $6.1 billion, and saw its adjusted funds from operations shrink from 74 cents per share to 71.9 cents.

Forbes

Shares of BP started to tick up slightly on Wednesday after the oil major released an internal report into its spill in the Gulf of Mexico, deflecting much of the blame for the disaster onto rig owner Transocean and contractor Halliburton.

Forbes

The jobless rate was expected to tick up slightly from 8.1percentt.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In 2018, apprehensions ticked up slightly — but still barely climbed above 400,000.

The Washington Post

Over the same period, spending out of the general fund ticked up slightly, by about $300 million.

The New York Times

Mr. Obama's approval rating ticked up slightly, to 51 percent, thanks largely to higher marks among independents.

The New York Times

GDP grew by 3.5%, while inflation ticked up slightly to 8.3%.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Obama's approval rating on budget matters ticked up slightly over the same time period — from 41percentto45percentcent — but 51percentt disapprove.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tick up slightly" to describe small increases in numerical data, such as economic indicators or statistical figures. It's more precise than saying simply "increase".

Common error

Avoid using "tick up slightly" repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "increase marginally" or "rise a bit" to maintain reader interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tick up slightly" functions as a modifier, specifically an adverbial phrase, describing the manner in which something increases. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is used to qualify the verb, indicating a small or marginal increase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tick up slightly" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe a minor increase. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples in various contexts. It is most commonly found in news and media sources, and is suitable for neutral writing. While there are several ways to express a similar idea, such as "increase marginally" or "rise a bit", "tick up slightly" offers a specific nuance of a small and often gradual increase. Be sure to vary your language to avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase marginally

Replaces "tick up" with a more formal synonym, maintaining the sense of a small increase.

rise a bit

Uses simpler language to express a slight increase.

improve incrementally

Focuses on the gradual nature of the increase.

edge upward

Suggests a slow and hesitant upward movement.

see a slight uptick

Nominalizes the phrase, using "uptick" as a noun.

experience a modest gain

Replaces "tick up" with "gain", emphasizing the positive aspect of the increase.

climb marginally

Similar to "increase marginally", but uses a different verb.

go up a little

A very informal way of expressing a slight increase.

show a small rise

Uses "rise" as a noun, similar to "uptick".

creep up slowly

Emphasizes the slow and gradual nature of the increase, implying it might be almost imperceptible.

FAQs

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

The phrase "tick up slightly" is typically used to describe a small increase in a value or measurement. For example: "The unemployment rate "ticked up slightly" this month."

What's a more formal way to say "tick up slightly"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "increase marginally" or "improve incrementally" instead of "tick up slightly".

Is it appropriate to use "tick up slightly" in academic writing?

Yes, "tick up slightly" can be used in academic writing, especially when describing numerical data. However, ensure it fits the overall tone of your piece; more formal alternatives might be preferable in some contexts.

What's the difference between "tick up slightly" and "increase significantly"?

"Tick up slightly" implies a small, almost negligible increase, whereas "increase significantly" suggests a large and noticeable change. The choice depends on the magnitude of the change you're describing.