increase or increasement

[Patrick87]

Hi there,

I always thought that the term increasment does not exist and that increase is the verb as well as the noun. However, I have googeled the word increasement and get 197,000 results. It is also listed in several dictionaries. I think an increase refers just to the fact that something has risen, while increasment is the process which normally yields to an increase. But I don't know if this is really the case.

Which of the following sentences would you prefer:
A. A possible solution for this problem is an increase in petrol prices.
B. A possible solution for this porblem is an icreasement in/of petrol prices.

I am not sure if sentence B is correct. Therfore, I would use A.

Best,
Patrick

 

[5jj]

I have goog[STRIKE]e[/STRIKE]led the word "increasement" and get 197,000 results.

Google "ain't" and you'll get 250 million hits. That doesn't make it right.

Use "increase".

 

[Barb_D]

Increasement does not appear in my dictionary. I was shocked to see it in the Free Dictionary.

I'm pretty sure that 90% or more of native speakers will think this is a non-native mistake. I recommend that you don't use this word.

 

[birdeen's call]

Increasement does not appear in my dictionary. I was shocked to see it in the Free Dictionary.

It is less shocking when we take into account that this Free Dictionary page comes from Webster 1913, which contains many words that are now archaic. This is what the newer versions of the dictionary call the word.

 

[Patrick87]

Okay, then I'm going to use "increase" insted of increasement.

However, is it really wrong to use the word "ain't." I think it is okay to use it in casual talk or colloquial conversations. "ain't" is not necessarily wrong it is just slang. It is a bit like saying: "I gonna use increase insted of increasement." I have hardly ever heard "I am going to..."

 

[birdeen's call]

However, is it really wrong to use the word "ain't." I think it is okay to use it in casual talk or colloquial conversations. "ain't" is not necessarily wrong it is just slang. It is a bit like saying: "I gonna use increase insted of increasement." I have hardly ever heard "I am going to..."

It's not wrong to use "ain't" if you know what you're doing. You should realize that your listenters may feel you're using it because you don't know any better. The same goes for "increasement" and, indeed, any other uncommon or otherwise marked word. If you know that "increasement" is an archaic word and aren't concerned about what other people think about you, use it. It's your call.

 

[Barb_D]

If you choose to use "gonna" then say "I'm gonna" -- not "I gonna."

In fact, most native speakers SAY this. We just don't write this.

 

[Tarek Masud]

If you choose to use "gonna" then say "I'm gonna" -- not "I gonna."

In fact, most native speakers SAY this. We just don't write this.

'Gonna' is not standard English, it is used informally.

 

[Barb_D]

'Gonna' is not standard English, it is used informally.

After reading this thread, did you think there was doubt about all parties being aware of this?

 

[Patrick87]

If you choose to use "gonna" then say "I'm gonna" -- not "I gonna."

That's interesting. I thought you could omit the 'm. Now I will always say: I'm gonna...

 

[ostap77]

That's interesting. I thought you could omit the 'm. Now I will always say: I'm gonna...

If you want to sound like a redneck, go ahead! I don't think an educated person would ever leave it out.

 

[birdeen's call]

If you want to sound like a redneck, go ahead! I don't think an educated person would ever leave it out.

If I understood Patrick correctly, he said he wouldn't leave it out.

 

[ostap77]

If I understood Patrick correctly, he said he wouldn't leave it out.

Well he could have been talking a lot to so-called "boys on the hood", could he? Guess someone must've said to him that it's OK to use it in conversation. There would have been a slight connotation of doubt.