Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| sempre più | |
| man a mano | |
| in modo crescente | |
| progressivamente | /pro.ɡres.si.vaˈmen.te/ |
These terms are used to describe something increasing in amount or intensity. You can use in modo via via crescente to emphasize a slower but progressive increase.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase sempre più literally translates to 'always more'.
Which one should you use?
While sempre più emphasizes the increasing intensity, man a mano emphasizes the step-by-step process or the gradual nature of a change. For the opposite meaning, 'less and less' or 'decreasingly', use sempre meno.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For more formal, technical or clinical contexts, you can use progressivamente or in modo crescente. Additionally, in continuo aumento is a formal expression meaning 'continuously increasing'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using sempre più to modify an adjective or adverb, it is placed directly before the word it modifies.
Did you know?
- The phrase man a mano literally translates to 'hand by hand', using the same root as the English word 'manual'.
- While sempre più translates to 'always more', the word sempre is a direct descendant of the Latin semper, which is also found in the English legal phrase 'semper fidelis'.
- The concept of 'increasingly' using sempre più creates a paradox where 'always' (constant) is paired with 'more' (change).
Examples in context
- Sono sempre più apatico.I'm increasingly apathetic.This sentence shows how to use sempre più to describe an increasing state of apathy.Tatoeba #11762843 by Nuel, translation #11762842 by Nuel
- Sono sempre più disperata.I'm increasingly desperate.This sentence demonstrates using sempre più to describe an increasing sense of desperation.Tatoeba #2745722 by Guybrush88, translation #12242661 by Miktsoanit
- Capirsi è diventato sempre più difficile.Understanding each other became increasingly difficult.This sentence illustrates the placement of sempre più before an adjective to show increasing difficulty.Tatoeba #13270735 by Nuel, translation #13270734 by Nuel
- I prezzi stanno aumentando sempre di più ogni giorno.Prices are increasing more and more every day.
- La domanda di beni importati è in continuo aumento.The demand for imported goods is continuously increasing.
- Sto diventando sempre di più stanco.I'm becoming more and more tired.
- Lui è sempre più entusiasta.He's getting more and more enthusiastic.
- Il suo italiano migliora di giorno in giorno.His Italian is improving day by day.
- La mia passione per la cucina sta crescendo sempre di più.My passion for cooking is increasing more and more.
- La tua generosità aumenta di giorno in giorno.Your generosity is increasing from day to day.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Chiara are discussing the difficulty of their studies.
- MatteoGli esami sono sempre più difficili.The exams are increasingly difficult.
- ChiaraHai ragione, Matteo, sono molto impegnativi.You're right, Matteo, they are very demanding.
- MatteoDobbiamo studiare molto di più.We have to study much more.
- ChiaraSì, ma ce la faremo.Yes, but we will make it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “increasingly” translations and entries progressivamente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, in, mano, modo, più, sempre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
