What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
multiply
Example
To find the total, you need to multiply the number of apples by the price per apple. [multiply: verb]
Example
The bacteria in the petri dish began to multiply rapidly. [multiply: verb]
increase
Example
We need to increase our sales by at least 20% to meet our targets. [increase: verb]
Example
There has been an increase in the number of students enrolling in online courses. [increase: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Increase is more commonly used than multiply in everyday language due to its versatility and wider range of applications.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between multiply and increase?
Both multiply and increase can be used in formal and informal contexts, but multiply may be perceived as more technical or specialized due to its association with mathematics.
