Words / B1

in-KREES-ingl-ee/ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli/

Increasingly means more and more: increasingly common; people are increasingly working from home. More and more is the everyday phrase; gradually stresses slow change rather than a higher degree. Increasing is the adjective: an increasing number. Increase is the verb / noun. Place increasingly before an adjective or a verb: become increasingly difficult. Do not pair it with more: not “increasingly more important.” News English also uses increasingly popular / expensive.

Meaning

More and more.

Examples

• “People are increasingly working from home.”
• “Tickets have become increasingly expensive this year.”
• “The exam is becoming increasingly competitive.”

Good to know

increasingly + adjective / verb. Everyday: more and more. Adjective: increasing. Verb/noun: increase. Avoid “increasingly more.”

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