increase, rise / decrease / decline

A

acidfunk

Member
South Korea / Korean
I am confused due to the usage of increase, rise, decrease and decline.

Sales increased by 20% compared with last month.
-> "to increase" can be either transitive or intransitive verb.
So in this case, "to increase" is intransitive verb so we use BY.

-> also since "to increase" can be either transitive or intransitive verb.
So can we can say increase with passive form,
Sales are increased by 20%?
or 20% of sales is increased?
20% of sales increased?

Sales rose 20% compared with last month.
-> not "BY 20%" ?
to rise is intransitive verb so shouldn't we use preposition?

Sales declined by 20% is correct?
or Sales declined 20%?

Can I say "20% of sales declined?" or "20% of sales is declined"?
 
    • Sales increased by 20% compared with last month.
    -> "to increase" can be either transitive or intransitive verb.
    So in this case, "to increase" is intransitive verb so we use BY.
    Click to expand...

    In your context, "increased" and "rose" (the two are interchangeable) can only be intransitive verbs. Considering them as transitive verbs when speaking of trends in figures is illogical, as by definition transitive verbs mean that there is somebody doing the increasing, which is obviously not the case here.

    The preposition "by" is in no way dependent on the transitive or intransitive nature of the verb preceding it. It is optional, and is simply a matter of style.

    -> also since "to increase" can be either transitive or intransitive verb.
    So can we can say increase with passive form,
    Sales are increased by 20%?
    or 20% of sales is increased?
    20% of sales increased?
    Click to expand...

    None of these sentences is idiomatic, for the reason explained above.

    Sales rose 20% compared with last month.
    -> not "BY 20%" ?
    to rise is intransitive verb so shouldn't we use preposition
    Click to expand...

    Again, the preposition is optional. It makes no difference whether you include it or not.

    Sales declined by 20% is correct?
    or Sales declined 20%?
    Click to expand...

    Both, for the reason stated above.

    Can I say "20% of sales declined?" or "20% of sales is declined"?
    Click to expand...

    Neither. The sales declined by a given percentage (namely 20%). It would be unusual to say that only 20% of sales declined, as a decline in 20% of the sales would inevitably engender some decline in overall sales. It just doesn't make sense (at least out of context).
     
    The preposition "by" is in no way dependent on the transitive or intransitive nature of the verb preceding it. It is optional, and is simply a matter of style.

    Oh, I didn't know that. I thought "by" was a must.
    Thank you for the explanation :)
     
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