Cool MateIncrease vs Step it up
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Increase
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Step it up
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: IncreaseMost common: Increase
| Increase | Step it up | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkriːs/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪz/","/ɪnˈkriːst/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈkriːs/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪz/","/ɪnˈkriːst/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //stɛp ɪt ʌp//🇺🇸 //stɛp ɪt ʌp// |
| Meaning | To make something larger in amount or size. | To improve or increase something. |
| Example | We need to increase our budget for the project. | You need to step it up if you want to get good grades this semester. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | considerably, dramatically, drastically, be expected to, be likely to, by, from, in | step it up a notch, step it up in effort, step it up for performance, step it up during training, step it up in quality |
| Antonyms | decrease, reduce, diminish | - |
| Common mistakes | 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. | Forgetting to add an object after 'step it up'., Confusing with 'step up', which has a slightly different meaning., Using it in overly formal contexts. |
| Usage notes | 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. | Used informally to encourage someone to improve performance or effort. Not suitable for formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Increase vs Step it up
What's the difference between Increase and Step it up?
Increase: To make something larger in amount or size. Step it up: To improve or increase something.
Which is more formal: Increase and Step it up?
Increase is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Increase and Step it up?
Increase is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Increase: We need to increase our budget for the project. Step it up: You need to step it up if you want to get good grades this semester.
Can I use Increase and Step it up interchangeably?
Not always. Increase and Step it up 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.