Common Mistakes : increase

noun

.BAD: The increase of crime is accelerating
.GOOD: The increase in crime is accelerating

.BAD: There has been an increase of the number of cars
.GOOD: There has been an increase in the number of cars

: (increase in sth (NOT of
.There’s been a sudden increase in political activity
.We can expect further increases in the cost of living

.BAD: I’d like to increase my English
.GOOD: I’d like to improve my English

.BAD: We can increase the economic situation by working harder
.GOOD: We can improve the economic situation by working harder

: increase = become or make (something) greater in amount, number or degree
.The government has increased taxes
.As their profits increase, the companies expand
.The number of words in the language is increasing all the time

: improve = become or make (something) better
.Efforts are being made to improve the quality of the medical services

.BAD: The government is trying to increase the level of education
.GOOD: The government is trying to raise the level of education

.BAD: In Hong Kong the standard of living has increased sharply
.GOOD: In Hong Kong the standard of living has risen sharply

When you are talking about the level or standard of something, use raise/rise NOT increase
.The standard of living continues to rise