Cool MateIncrease vs Turn it up
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Increase
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Turn it up
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: IncreaseMost common: Increase
| Increase | Turn it up | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkriːs/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪz/","/ɪnˈkriːst/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈkriːs/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪz/","/ɪnˈkriːst/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //tɜːn ɪt ʌp//🇺🇸 //tɜrn ɪt ʌp// |
| Meaning | To make something larger in amount or size. | Make something louder, like music. |
| Example | We need to increase our budget for the project. | Can you turn it up? I can barely hear the music. |
| 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 | turn up the volume, turn it up loud, turn it up high |
| 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. | Using 'turn up' without an object, e.g., 'turn it up' not 'turn up'., Confusing with 'turn it down', which has the opposite meaning., Mixing up with 'turn on', which means to start something. |
| 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 mainly in casual conversations, especially regarding music or sound settings. Avoid in formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Increase vs Turn it up
What's the difference between Increase and Turn it up?
Increase: To make something larger in amount or size. Turn it up: Make something louder, like music.
Which is more formal: Increase and Turn it up?
Increase is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Increase and Turn 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. Turn it up: Can you turn it up? I can barely hear the music.
Can I use Increase and Turn it up interchangeably?
Not always. Increase and Turn 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.