What is increase? Pronunciation and usage in English

increase means . Learn how to pronounce and use increase through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of increase

increaseverb/noun

/ɪnˈkriːs/
Definition & pronunciation of increase

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "increase" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables:

The word "increase" is typically broken down into three syllables:

  • in - (like the "in" in "inhabit")
  • crease - (rhymes with "release" or "peace")
  • -ment - (rhymes with "comment" or "cement")

2. Phonetic Breakdown (using the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA, which is the most accurate way):

  • /ɪnˈkriːs/

Let's break that down further:

  • /ɪn/: A short, quick "in" sound, like in "tin."
  • /ˈkriːs/: This is the trickiest part. Let's break it down:
    • /kri/: A sharp "k" sound (like in "kite") followed quickly by "ri" – a very short, quick "r" sound followed by a long "i" sound (like in "ice"). The "ri" is often very subtle and almost blends into the "k."
    • /s/: A clear "s" sound (like in "sun").
  • /ment/: As mentioned before, rhymes with "comment" or "cement."

3. How to Say it Aloud (Simplified):

Here's a more conversational guide:

  1. Start with a short "in" sound (like in "tin").
  2. Say "kree-s" quickly, emphasizing the "k" and the "ee" in "crease." It’s a single, connected sound, not three separate ones. The "r" is very subtle.
  3. Finish with "ment" (like "comment").

4. Common Mistakes and Tips:

  • Over-emphasizing the syllables: Many people separate the syllables too much. Try to say it as one flowing word.
  • Pronouncing the "r" in "crease" too strongly: It's a very subtle "r" sound that's almost part of the syllable, coming right after the “k”.
  • Saying “in-crease”: Incorrectly separating the first syllable.

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

  • Google Translate: Type "increase" into Google Translate, select the English setting, and click the speaker icon.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/increase/ – This website lets you hear native speakers pronounce words from different regions.
  • Youglish: https://youglish.com/w/increase - This shows you how the word is pronounced in YouTube videos.

To help me tailor the explanation even more, could you tell me:

  • Are you a native English speaker, or are you learning?
  • Is there a specific accent you're trying to emulate (e.g., American, British)?

Usage and examples with the word increase in English

Let's break down how to use the word "increase" in English. It's a versatile word with several different ways to use it!

1. As a Verb (Action - to make something bigger)

This is the most common usage. "Increase" means to make something greater in amount, size, number, or degree.

  • Examples:
    • “We need to increase production to meet the demand.” (Make more things)
    • “The company plans to increase its profits this year.” (Make more money)
    • "The temperature is increasing rapidly." (Getting warmer)
    • "He wants to increase his salary." (Get more money)
    • "Please increase the volume of the music." (Make it louder)
    • "The number of students increasing every year." (More students)

2. As a Noun (Thing - the act of making something bigger)

"Increase" can also be a noun, referring to the process of making something bigger.

  • Examples:
    • "There was a significant increase in sales last quarter." (The amount of sales went up)
    • “The government announced an increase in taxes.” (An extra amount of tax was added)
    • “We saw an increase in website traffic after the marketing campaign.” (More people visited the website)
    • "He's made an increase in his efforts to learn Spanish." (He's working harder)

3. Phrases & Idioms with "Increase"

  • Increase in...: This is very common.

    • "There's been an increase in crime rates."
    • "We've seen an increase in demand for this product."
    • "An increase in temperature."

  • Increase by...: Specifies how much something goes up.

    • "The price will increase by 10%."
    • "The population increased by 500 people last year."

  • Increase to...: Indicates the level something reaches.

    • "We need to increase our efforts to reduce pollution."
    • "The investment will increase to $1 million."

4. More Formal vs. Informal

  • Formal: "Augment" or “elevate” sometimes used instead of "increase" in formal writing.
  • Informal: “Up” can be used in casual conversation (e.g., "The sales went up.") – though “increase” is generally more precise.

Tips for Using “Increase” Correctly:

  • Context is key: Pay attention to the sentence and what you’re trying to describe.
  • Specify the change: Often, you’ll want to indicate what is increasing (e.g., sales, temperature, numbers).
  • Use “by” for amounts: When stating how much something is increasing, using "by" is clearer.

Could you give me an example of how you'd like to use "increase" so I can tailor my explanation even more to your needs? For example, are you trying to:

  • Write a sentence?
  • Understand a specific phrase?
  • Learn about a particular context (like business, science, or daily life)?

Synonyms for the word increase

Practice with vocabulary increase

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The recent policy changes are expected to ______ the overall efficiency of public services.
  2. To remain competitive, companies must continually seek ways to ______ their operational processes.
  3. Following the successful marketing campaign, the company reported a substantial ______ in brand recognition.
  4. It is crucial for employees to ______ their skills to adapt to the evolving demands of the industry.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The company aims to ______ its customer base by offering new loyalty programs. A) reduce B) expand C) decrease D) increase

  2. Demand for sustainable products is expected to ______ steadily over the next decade. A) surge B) plateau C) wane D) ascend

  3. Despite market volatility, the firm managed to ______ its profits for the third consecutive quarter. A) augment B) curtail C) reduce D) increase

  4. The new software update should ______ system performance across all devices. A) hinder B) optimize C) degrade D) boost

  5. To ______ public awareness, the non-profit organization launched a massive media campaign. A) lessen B) heighten C) diminish D) increase

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. There has been a considerable growth in online shopping recently.
  2. We need to make our communication more effective within the team.
  3. The sales figures showed a significant upward trend last month.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. increase
  2. improve (or optimize/streamline)
  3. increase
  4. develop (or enhance/upskill)

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B) expand, D) increase
  2. A) surge, D) ascend
  3. A) augment, D) increase
  4. B) optimize, D) boost
  5. B) heighten, D) increase

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Recent times have seen a considerable increase in online shopping. (or Online shopping has increased considerably recently.)
  2. We need to streamline our team communication. (or We need to enhance our team communication.)
  3. Last month, there was a significant increase in sales figures. (or Sales figures increased significantly last month.)

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