What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
surge
Example
The waves surged against the shore during the storm. [surged: past tense]
Example
There has been a surge in demand for online shopping during the pandemic. [surge: noun]
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 online classes. [increase: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Increase is more commonly used than surge in everyday language. Increase is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while surge is less common and often used in specific contexts, such as emergencies or crises.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between surge and increase?
Both surge and increase can be used in formal or informal language, but increase is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
