Cool MateEnhance vs Increase
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Enhance
Top 5,000 (fairly common)B2verb
Increase
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Most common: Increase
| Enhance | Increase | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈhɑːns/","/ɪnˈhɑːnsɪz/","/ɪnˈhɑːnst/","/ɪnˈhɑːnsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈhæns/","/ɪnˈhænsɪz/","/ɪnˈhænst/","/ɪnˈhænsɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkriːs/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪz/","/ɪnˈkriːst/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈkriːs/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪz/","/ɪnˈkriːst/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To improve something and make it better. | To make something larger in amount or size. |
| Example | The new software will enhance the overall performance of the computer. | We need to increase our budget for the project. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | considerably, dramatically, greatly, can, could, may, digitally enhanced, surgically enhanced | considerably, dramatically, drastically, be expected to, be likely to, by, from, in |
| Antonyms | degrade, diminish, reduce | decrease, reduce, diminish |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'enhancement' in noun form., Using 'enhance' without an object (it needs something to enhance)., Incorrectly using as a synonym for 'increase' in unrelated contexts. | Using 'increases' as a noun instead of a verb., Confusing 'increase' with 'decrease' which has the opposite meaning., Incorrectly forming the past tense as 'increased' when it should be 'increased' without a change. |
| Usage notes | Used in both professional and casual contexts. More common in writing than speaking. Avoid in informal situations where simpler words may suffice. | Use 'increase' in contexts involving growth, improvement, or enhancement. It is appropriate for both spoken and written English, but avoid in overly casual conversations where simpler words like 'go up' might be preferred. |
Frequently asked questions: Enhance vs Increase
What's the difference between Enhance and Increase?
Enhance: To improve something and make it better. Increase: To make something larger in amount or size.
Which is more common: Enhance and Increase?
Increase is the most common in everyday English.
Are Enhance and Increase the same CEFR level?
Enhance: B2, Increase: A2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Enhance and Increase interchangeably?
Not always. Enhance and Increase are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.