increase
To make something larger in amount, number, size, or degree, or to become larger in these ways. It is a versatile word used to describe growth or upward trends in various situations.
Examples
3 of 5I need to increase the amount of water I drink every day to stay healthy.
I need to drink a larger amount of water every day to stay healthy.
The government aims to increase public awareness regarding environmental issues through education.
The government wants to make more people aware of environmental issues through education.
You should increase the heat on the stove if you want the water to boil faster.
You should turn up the heat on the stove to make the water boil more quickly.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'Crescendo' in music, which means to get louder; 'increase' shares the same root meaning 'to grow'.
Quick Quiz
The company decided to ____ the price of coffee because the beans became more expensive.
Correct!
The correct answer is: increase
Examples
I need to increase the amount of water I drink every day to stay healthy.
everydayI need to drink a larger amount of water every day to stay healthy.
The government aims to increase public awareness regarding environmental issues through education.
formalThe government wants to make more people aware of environmental issues through education.
You should increase the heat on the stove if you want the water to boil faster.
informalYou should turn up the heat on the stove to make the water boil more quickly.
Current data suggests that global temperatures will continue to increase over the next decade.
academicScientific data shows that world temperatures will keep going up over the next ten years.
Our primary goal for this fiscal year is to increase our total sales by fifteen percent.
businessOur main target for this year is to grow our total sales by fifteen percent.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
on the increase
happening more often or becoming more common
increase by
to grow by a specific amount or percentage
increase from... to...
to move from a starting point to a higher end point
Often Confused With
'Increase' can be used without an object (prices increase), while 'raise' always needs an object (they raised the prices).
Usage Notes
As a verb, the stress is usually on the second syllable (in-CREASE). It can be used transitively (doing the action to something) or intransitively (the action happens on its own).
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'increase' when they mean 'add to'. For example, say 'increase the speed' rather than 'increase more speed'.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'Crescendo' in music, which means to get louder; 'increase' shares the same root meaning 'to grow'.
Word Origin
From the Latin 'increscere', where 'in-' means 'into' and 'crescere' means 'to grow'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many Western business contexts, 'increase' (especially of profits or efficiency) is viewed as an essential marker of success.
Quick Quiz
The company decided to ____ the price of coffee because the beans became more expensive.
Correct!
The correct answer is: increase
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
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hyperultimness
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adnegation
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