Cool MateEnlarge vs Increase
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Enlarge
Top 3,000 (common)
Increase
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Most common: Increase
| Enlarge | Increase | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪnˈlɑːdʒ//🇺🇸 //ɛnˈlɑrdʒ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkriːs/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪz/","/ɪnˈkriːst/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈkriːs/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪz/","/ɪnˈkriːst/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To make something bigger. | To make something larger in amount or size. |
| Example | The scientist wanted to enlarge the sample for better analysis. | We need to increase our budget for the project. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | enlarge an image, enlarge a space, enlarge a photograph, enlarge a product, enlarge one's understanding | considerably, dramatically, drastically, be expected to, be likely to, by, from, in |
| Antonyms | shrink, decrease, diminish | decrease, reduce, diminish |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'expand'; 'enlarge' is specific to size., Using 'enlarge' without an object, which is often incorrect. | 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 | Use in both formal and informal contexts. Common in discussions about images, spaces, or physical objects. Avoid in casual speech if simpler words like 'make bigger' are available. | 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. |
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Frequently asked questions: Enlarge vs Increase
What's the difference between Enlarge and Increase?
Enlarge: To make something bigger. Increase: To make something larger in amount or size.
Which is more common: Enlarge and Increase?
Increase is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Enlarge: The scientist wanted to enlarge the sample for better analysis. Increase: We need to increase our budget for the project.
Can I use Enlarge and Increase interchangeably?
Not always. Enlarge 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.