What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
buildup
Example
There has been a buildup of traffic on the highway due to the accident. [buildup: noun]
Example
The team is experiencing a buildup of momentum as they approach the championship game. [buildup: noun]
increase
Example
The company plans to increase its production capacity by 20% next year. [increase: verb]
Example
There has been a steady increase in the number of students attending the school. [increase: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Increase is more commonly used than buildup in everyday language. Increase is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while buildup is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between buildup and increase?
While increase is generally considered more formal, buildup is less common and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
