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

Comment ()