unprecedented increase

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unprecedented increase" is grammatically correct and is commonly used in written English.
It refers to a significant and unexpected rise in something, often in a particular area or aspect. For example: "The company saw an unprecedented increase in profits this quarter, thanks to their new marketing strategy." This sentence means that the company's profits rose to an unexpected and unprecedented level, possibly due to a new approach to advertising. Another example could be: "The city experienced an unprecedented increase in crime rates, causing concern among the local residents." In this sentence, the phrase "unprecedented increase" implies that the crime rates have risen to an unprecedented and alarming level, causing worry among the people living in the city.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Job losses and cutbacks have produced an unprecedented increase in the uninsured.

The New Yorker

The last decade has seen an unprecedented increase in scientific publications and policy development on overfishing.

The Guardian

An unprecedented increase in education spending under Labour has failed to produce better schools, Seldon says.

The Guardian

The 19th century also saw an unprecedented increase in travel and in cross-cultural influences.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Last year, there was an unprecedented increase in the number of suicide attacks, according to the Interior Ministry.

The New York Times

In the past year it has had an unexpected and unprecedented increase of 100%, up from 697 to 1,398 referrals.

The Guardian

"They may not be homophobes, but they are the source of an unprecedented increase in homophobic incidents recorded by SOS Homophobie," the group's report on 2012 states.

The New Yorker

Cancer Research UK, which did not start the campaign, said the #nomakeupselfie trend had resulted in an unprecedented increase in donations.

The Guardian

So the White House is claiming that its tax cuts could boost wages and incomes by more than ten per cent — a huge and unprecedented increase.

The New Yorker

"We are witnessing an increase in the scope of human rights violations in general, and an unprecedented increase in the number of civilian casualties," the group said.

The New York Times

"The last few months have seen an unprecedented increase in violence against human rights and minority rights activists in Pakistan," the group's said in a statement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unprecedented increase", ensure you provide context regarding what is increasing and, if possible, the reasons behind it. This adds clarity and informative value to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "unprecedented increase" simply as a sensational descriptor. Ensure the increase is genuinely exceptional and supported by evidence. Overusing the phrase dilutes its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unprecedented increase" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a situation where a particular quantity or rate has risen to a level not previously observed. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unprecedented increase" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression to describe a rise in something to a level never before seen. Ludwig AI analysis shows it appears most frequently in News & Media and Science sources. When employing this phrase, it's important to provide context to what is increasing and consider synonyms like "unprecedented rise" or "exceptional growth" for variety, while avoiding overuse without sufficient justification. The phrase serves to emphasize the exceptional nature of a change and is generally used in neutral to formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unprecedented rise

Replaces "increase" with "rise", a direct synonym, keeping the meaning virtually identical.

exceptional growth

Substitutes "unprecedented" and "increase" with "exceptional" and "growth", respectively, emphasizing magnitude and development.

extraordinary surge

Uses "extraordinary" and "surge" for a more dramatic effect, suggesting a sudden and powerful increase.

remarkable escalation

Implies a gradual but significant increase, potentially in a negative context like conflict or prices.

unparalleled expansion

Focuses on the idea of growth or reach, suggesting that the increase has no previous equal.

historic jump

Emphasizes the significance of the increase in terms of its historical context.

sharp upturn

Indicates a sudden and noticeable positive change.

unexpected surge

Highlights the surprise element of a sudden and powerful increase.

significant hike

Suggests a large and noticeable increase, often in prices or rates.

substantial leap

Implies a large and important increase, often in progress or achievement.

FAQs

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

You can use "unprecedented increase" to describe a situation where something has risen to a level never seen before. For example, "The city experienced an "unprecedented increase" in tourism this year."

What are some alternatives to "unprecedented increase"?

Alternatives include "exceptional growth", "extraordinary surge", or "remarkable escalation", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "unprecedented and significant increase"?

While not strictly redundant, it can be seen as slightly repetitive. "Unprecedented" already implies a significant departure from previous levels, so "significant increase" may be implicit. Choose the phrasing that best suits the specific context and desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "unprecedented increase" and "unexpected increase"?

"Unexpected increase" simply means the rise wasn't anticipated. "Unprecedented increase" means the rise is to a level never before experienced. An increase can be unexpected without being unprecedented, and vice versa.