an increase

VicNicSor

VicNicSor

Banned
Russia
Russian
increase
If there is an increase in the number, level, or amount of something, it becomes greater.
1) ....a sharp increase in productivity...
2) He called for an increase of 1p on income tax.
3) ...an increase of violence along the border.
(Collins Cobuild dictionary)

Am I right that:
1) a means a type of increase (there can be a sharp/gradual/continual/hopping etc. increase)
2) an means a number of "p" that increases (there can be an increase of 1p/2p/3p etc....)
3) an means an amount of the increase

Thank you.
 
    • I think it's a lot simpler than that (at least if I'm understanding your question correctly). With increase, you can use either an or the, depending on whether your talking about a specific type of increase or a general one. You use a only if the word between the article and noun increase starts with a consonant sound:
    a sharp increase - "sharp" starts with the consonant "s" sound
    a minor increase - "minor" starts with the consonate "m" sound
    an incremental increase - "incremental" starts with the vowel "i" sound.

    Or did I misunderstand your question?
     
    Sounds right to me, but let's wait for the experts. :)
     
    In 1) there is a substantial increase...
    2) He's calling for an increase of precisely 1p. No more.
    3) The increase could be any size.

    In case you're unsure, there is no difference in meaning between "a" and "an."
     
    Oh, I've probably formulated the question unclearly.
    The question was not about "a or an".
    I asked whether I understood the use of the indefinite article with "increase" correctly. That is, why a/an in these cases is used, not "the".
    Am I right that:
    1) a means a type of increase (there can be a sharp/gradual/continual/hopping etc. increase)
    2) an means a number of "p" that increases (there can be an increase of 1p/2p/3p etc....)
    3)     an means an amount of the increase
    Click to expand...
    :)
    i.e
    1) - one of the types of increase
    2) - one of the indicators "p" by which income tax can increase
    3) - one of the possible numbers of percents the increase can increase by
     
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