increasingly / waxing
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increasingly
Expresses that something is increasing in intensity, quantity, or frequency; more and more. It is used as an adverb to describe a change over time.
Die Digitalisierung spielt eine zunehmend wichtige Rolle in unserem Alltag.
Digitalization is playing an increasingly important role in our everyday lives.
'Zunehmend' (increasingly/waxing) is the present participle of the separable verb 'zunehmen' (to increase in quantity or intensity). This origin explains the meaning 'becoming more and more'.
Die Beliebtheit von Elektroautos nimmt seit Jahren zu.
The popularity of electric cars has been increasing for years.
As an adverb, 'zunehmend' (increasingly) usually stands directly before an adjective to describe its increase. It can also stand at the beginning of a sentence; then the verb follows in second position.
Das Problem wird zunehmend komplexer.
The problem is becoming increasingly complex.
The meaning 'growing' refers almost exclusively to the moon. When you read the combination 'zunehmender Mond' (waxing moon), this astronomical meaning is always intended.
Die Nacht war hell, da wir zunehmenden Mond hatten.
The night was bright because we had a waxing moon.
Typical combinations are 'zunehmend schwierig' (increasingly difficult), 'zunehmend beliebt' (increasingly popular), 'zunehmend an Bedeutung gewinnen' (to become increasingly important), or 'sich zunehmend Sorgen machen' (to become increasingly worried).
Es wird zunehmend schwierig, eine bezahlbare Wohnung zu finden.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to find an affordable apartment.
always
'immer' and 'zunehmend' can both describe a development in which something becomes more or stronger. In this use, 'immer' is usually used with a comparative, for example 'immer schneller' (faster and faster) or 'immer teurer' (more and more expensive). 'zunehmend' already means on its own that something is increasing, and it sounds somewhat more formal or objective. In everyday language, 'immer + comparative' is very natural. 'zunehmend' fits well in reports, news, or when describing a change in general.
In der Stadt gibt es zunehmend Probleme mit dem Verkehr.
There are increasingly more problems with traffic in the city.
Die Aufgaben werden vor der Prüfung immer schwieriger.
The tasks are getting more and more difficult before the exam.