What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gain
Example
I gained five pounds over the holidays. [gain: verb]
Example
She made a significant gain in her stock portfolio. [gain: noun]
Example
The company gained a competitive advantage by implementing new technology. [gain: verb]
increase
Example
The company increased its profits by 20% this year. [increase: verb]
Example
There has been an increase in the number of students attending college. [increase: noun]
Example
The government increased funding for education programs. [increase: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Increase is more commonly used than gain in everyday language. Increase is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while gain is less common and often used in more specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gain and increase?
Both gain and increase are formal enough to be used in academic or professional writing, but increase may be slightly more formal due to its wider range of usage.
