Add vs. Increase — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 20, 2024
"Add" refers to the act of joining or combining two or more quantities, typically used in mathematical contexts, while "increase" denotes a rise in number, size, or importance.
Difference Between Add and Increase
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Add" involves combining two distinct elements or quantities to achieve a total sum, as in adding numbers in a calculation. Whereas "increase" describes a situation where an existing quantity becomes larger, such as increasing a budget or expanding a collection.
In mathematics, to add means to put together two or more numbers to get their total, which is a direct action with a clear result. On the other hand, to increase something can be the result of various actions, like growth or accumulation, which might not be as direct as adding.
"Add" can also mean to include an additional element or part to something existing, such as adding a name to a list. Meanwhile, "increase" implies enhancing or going up in scale, intensity, or scope, such as increasing pressure or height.
The action of adding is typically instantaneous; when you add 5 to 10, you immediately get 15. Conversely, increase can occur over a period, suggesting a gradual change, like increasing knowledge or skills over time.
When discussing physical or abstract additions, such as adding ingredients to a recipe or adding details to a story, the focus is on incorporating new elements. In contrast, increasing something, like increasing the heat in cooking or the detail in a narrative, focuses on amplifying existing components.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To combine two or more elements
To make something larger in size, number, or amount
Action Type
Instantaneous combining
Gradual or immediate enhancement
Usage in Context
Mathematical sums, adding parts
Growth, enlargement in attributes
Result
A sum or total from combination
Enhanced version of original
Examples
Adding numbers, ingredients
Increasing speed, volume
Compare with Definitions
Add
To include an extra part or feature.
Add your name to the bottom of the document.
Increase
To become progressively greater in size, amount, number, or intensity.
The company's profits continue to increase each year.
Add
To say another thing.
She added that the project would be delayed.
Increase
To make something larger or more in quantity.
Increase the volume so everyone can hear the announcement.
Add
To join something to something else so as to increase the size, number, or amount.
Add 5 to 10 to get 15.
Increase
In finance, to raise the value or amount of something.
The bank decided to increase the interest rate.
Add
To put together several numbers to find the total.
When you add all the bills, the total sum is quite high.
Increase
In biology, referring to the growth or reproduction rate.
Nutrients in the soil help increase plant growth.
Add
In computing, to append or insert data.
Add the new data to the existing database.
Increase
To escalate the level or strength of something.
The government plans to increase security measures.
Add
Join (something) to something else so as to increase the size, number, or amount
A new wing was added to the building
Some box offices now add on a convenience charge
Increase
To become greater or larger.
Add
Put in (an additional element, ingredient, etc.)
Chlorine is added to the water to kill bacteria
Increase
To multiply; reproduce.
Add
Put together (two or more numbers or amounts) to calculate their total value
Add the two numbers together
They added all the figures up
Increase
To make greater or larger.
Add
Say as a further remark
We would like to add our congratulations
‘I hope we haven't been too much trouble,’ she added politely
Increase
The act of increasing
A steady increase in temperature.
Add
To join or combine (numbers) through addition
If you add 5 and 10 and 17, the result is 32. If you add 6 to 8, you get 14.
Increase
The amount or rate by which something is increased
A tax increase of 15 percent.
Add
To join or unite so as to increase in size, quantity, quality, or scope
Added 12 inches to the deck.
Flowers that added beauty to the dinner table.
Increase
(Obsolete) Reproduction and spread; propagation.
Add
To say or write further.
Increase
(intransitive) (of a quantity, etc.) To become larger or greater.
His rage only increased when I told him of the lost money.
Add
To find a sum in arithmetic.
Increase
(transitive) To make (a quantity, etc.) larger.
Add
To constitute an addition
An exploit that will add to her reputation.
Increase
To multiply by the production of young; to be fertile, fruitful, or prolific.
Add
To create or make an addition
Gradually added to my meager savings.
Increase
To become more nearly full; to show more of the surface; to wax.
The Moon increases.
Add
(transitive) To join or unite (e.g. one thing to another, or as several particulars) so as to increase the number, augment the quantity, or enlarge the magnitude, or so as to form into one aggregate.
Increase
An amount by which a quantity is increased.
Add
To sum up; to put together mentally; to add up.
To add numbers
Increase
For a quantity, the act or process of becoming larger
Add
(transitive) To combine elements of (something) into one quantity.
To add a column of numbers
Increase
Offspring, progeny
Add
(transitive) To give by way of increased possession (to someone); to bestow (on).
Increase
(knitting) The creation of one or more new stitches; see Increase (knitting).
Add
(transitive) To append (e.g. a statement); to say further information; to add on.
Increase
To become greater or more in size, quantity, number, degree, value, intensity, power, authority, reputation, wealth; to grow; to augment; to advance; - opposed to decrease.
The waters increased and bare up the ark.
He must increase, but I must decrease.
The heavens forbidBut that our loves and comforts should increase,Even as our days do grow!
Add
(intransitive) To make an addition; to augment; to increase; to add on.
It adds to our anxiety.
Increase
To multiply by the production of young; to be fertile, fruitful, or prolific.
Fishes are more numerous or increasing than beasts or birds, as appears by their numerous spawn.
Add
To perform the arithmetical operation of addition.
He adds rapidly.
Increase
To become more nearly full; to show more of the surface; to wax; as, the moon increases.
Add
To summon minions or reinforcements.
Typically, a hostile mob will add whenever it's within the aggro radius of a player.
Increase
To augment or make greater in bulk, quantity, extent, value, or amount, etc.; to add to; to extend; to lengthen; to enhance; to aggravate; as, to increase one's possessions, influence.
I will increase the famine.
Make denialsIncrease your services.
Add
(radio) The addition of a song to a station's playlist.
Increase
Addition or enlargement in size, extent, quantity, number, intensity, value, substance, etc.; augmentation; growth.
As if increase of appetite had grownBy what it fed on.
For things of tender kind for pleasure madeShoot up with swift increase, and sudden are decay'd.
Add
(computer science) An act or instance of adding.
Increase
That which is added to the original stock by augmentation or growth; produce; profit; interest.
Take thou no usury of him, or increase.
Let them not live to taste this land's increase.
Add
(video games) An additional enemy that joins a fight after the primary target.
When the player has fought the boss for one minute, two adds will arrive from the back and must be dealt with.
Increase
Progeny; issue; offspring.
All the increase of thy house shall die in the flower of their age.
Add
To give by way of increased possession (to any one); to bestow (on).
The Lord shall add to me another son.
Increase
Generation.
Add
To join or unite, as one thing to another, or as several particulars, so as to increase the number, augment the quantity, enlarge the magnitude, or so as to form into one aggregate. Hence: To sum up; to put together mentally; as, to add numbers; to add up a column.
Back to thy punishment,False fugitive, and to thy speed add wings.
As easily as he can add together the ideas of two days or two years.
Increase
The period of increasing light, or luminous phase; the waxing; - said of the moon.
Seeds, hair, nails, hedges, and herbs will grow soonest if set or cut in the increase of the moon.
Add
To append, as a statement; to say further.
He added that he would willingly consent to the entire abolition of the tax.
Increase
A quantity that is added;
There was an addition to property taxes this year
They recorded the cattle's gain in weight over a period of weeks
Add
To make an addition. To add to, to augment; to increase; as, it adds to our anxiety.
Increase
A change resulting in an increase;
The increase is scheduled for next month
Add
To perform the arithmetical operation of addition; as, he adds rapidly.
Increase
A process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important;
The increase in unemployment
The growth of population
Add
A condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disorders
Increase
The amount by which something increases;
They proposed an increase of 15 percent in the fare
Add
Make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, zise or scope of;
We added two students to that dorm room
She added a personal note to her letter
Add insult to injury
Add some extra plates to the dinner table
Increase
The act of increasing something;
He gave me an increase in salary
Add
State or say further;
`It doesn't matter,' he supplied
Increase
Become bigger or greater in amount;
The amount of work increased
Add
Bestow a quality on;
Her presence lends a certain cachet to the company
The music added a lot to the play
She brings a special atmosphere to our meetings
This adds a light note to the program
Increase
Make bigger or more;
The boss finally increased her salary
The university increased the number of students it admitted
Add
Make an addition by combining numbers;
Add 27 and 49, please!
Add
Determine the sum of;
Add all the people in this town to those of the neighboring town
Add
Constitute an addition;
This paper will add to her reputation
Common Curiosities
What is an example of an increase without adding?
Increasing the temperature of water from warm to boiling involves no addition but is an increase in heat intensity.
What does it mean to add something?
To add means to combine quantities or elements together to form a total or to include additional parts or features to something.
How is increasing different from adding?
Increasing refers to making something greater in size, amount, or degree, whereas adding is about combining elements to form a total.
Can adding result in an increase?
Yes, adding can result in an increase if it leads to a larger quantity or number.
Can increase be used in a physical and abstract sense?
Yes, increase can describe both physical growth, like increasing size, and abstract expansion, like increasing knowledge.
What is a common mistake with using add and increase?
A common mistake is using "add" when the correct term is "increase" for describing growth in intensity or quantity, and vice versa.
What is an example where both add and increase are used?
In a budget scenario, you might add funds to a project (combine new money into budget) and simultaneously increase the total budget.
How do add and increase relate to each other in computing?
In computing, adding data increases storage use, while increasing processing power can add to system efficiency.
How do add and increase impact mathematical calculations?
In math, adding affects the sum directly, while increasing could imply multiplication or adding a series of increments.
Are there any synonyms that can replace add or increase?
Synonyms for "add" include append and combine, while synonyms for "increase" include escalate and augment.
Can you add or increase something negatively?
You can add a negative number which effectively decreases a total, and similarly, you can increase something in a negative direction, like increasing debt.
Is it possible to add without an increase?
In some contexts, adding does not result in an increase, such as adding a negative number in mathematics, which can actually decrease the total.
When should I use add instead of increase?
Use "add" when combining quantities or inserting new elements, and "increase" when you intend to enhance or grow something.
What roles do add and increase play in business?
In business, adding may involve acquiring new assets, while increasing could involve expanding market share or production capacity.
How do add and increase apply in culinary contexts?
In cooking, adding ingredients brings new flavors, while increasing heat or seasoning can enhance existing flavors.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
