What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
increase
Example
The company plans to increase its profits by 20% this year. [increase: verb]
Example
There has been an increase in the number of students attending the school. [increase: noun]
Example
The new software update will increase the efficiency of the system. [increase: verb]
escalate
Example
The argument between the two coworkers escalated quickly and became physical. [escalated: past tense]
Example
The protests in the city escalated into violent clashes with the police. [escalated: past participle]
Example
The company's financial problems have escalated to the point of bankruptcy. [escalated: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Increase is a more common word than escalate in everyday language. Increase is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while escalate is more specific and often used in situations that involve conflict or negative consequences.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between increase and escalate?
Both increase and escalate can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, escalate may be perceived as more formal due to its association with conflict or serious situations.
