Cool MateBoost vs Enhance vs Increase vs Multiply
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Boost
Enhance
Increase
Multiply
| Boost | Enhance | Increase | Multiply | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/buːst/","/buːsts/","/ˈbuːstɪd/","/ˈbuːstɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/buːst/","/buːsts/","/ˈbuːstɪd/","/ˈbuːstɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈhɑːns/","/ɪnˈhɑːnsɪz/","/ɪnˈhɑːnst/","/ɪnˈhɑːnsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈhæns/","/ɪnˈhænsɪz/","/ɪnˈhænst/","/ɪnˈhænsɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkriːs/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪz/","/ɪnˈkriːst/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈkriːs/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪz/","/ɪnˈkriːst/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈmʌltɪplaɪ/","/ˈmʌltɪplaɪz/","/ˈmʌltɪplaɪd/","/ˈmʌltɪplaɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈmʌltɪplaɪ/","/ˈmʌltɪplaɪz/","/ˈmʌltɪplaɪd/","/ˈmʌltɪplaɪɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | to increase or improve something | To improve something and make it better. | To make something larger in amount or size. | To increase a number by another number. |
| Example | to boost exports/profits | The new software will enhance the overall performance of the computer. | We need to increase our budget for the project. | To find the area of a rectangle, you need to multiply its length by its width. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 | A2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | verb | verb |
| Collocations | considerably, dramatically, greatly, help (to), to | considerably, dramatically, greatly, can, could, may, digitally enhanced, surgically enhanced | considerably, dramatically, drastically, be expected to, be likely to, by, from, in | endlessly, indefinitely, greatly, by, endlessly, indefinitely, greatly, by, endlessly, indefinitely, greatly, by |
| Antonyms | decrease, diminish, reduce | degrade, diminish, reduce | decrease, reduce, diminish | divide |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'boast' – they have different meanings., Using 'boost' with uncountable nouns incorrectly., Confusing transitive use of 'boost' with intransitive. | 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. | Confusing 'multiply' with 'add' or 'subtract'., Incorrectly using 'multiply by' when it should be 'multiply with'., Omitting the number when stating the multiplication. |
| Usage notes | Used in various contexts, such as improving performance or enhancing qualities. Avoid in highly formal contexts. | 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. | Commonly used in math contexts, suitable for both casual and formal situations. Avoid using in literal sense when discussing general growth or increase. |
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Frequently asked questions: Boost vs Enhance vs Increase vs Multiply
What's the difference between Boost, Enhance, Increase, and Multiply?
Boost: to increase or improve something Enhance: To improve something and make it better. Increase: To make something larger in amount or size. Multiply: To increase a number by another number.
Are Boost, Enhance, Increase, and Multiply the same CEFR level?
Boost: B2, Enhance: B2, Increase: A2, Multiply: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Boost, Enhance, Increase, and Multiply?
Boost: verb, Enhance: verb, Increase: verb, Multiply: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Boost: to boost exports/profits Enhance: The new software will enhance the overall performance of the computer. Increase: We need to increase our budget for the project. Multiply: To find the area of a rectangle, you need to multiply its length by its width.
Can I use Boost, Enhance, Increase, and Multiply interchangeably?
Not always. Boost, Enhance, Increase, and Multiply 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.