zunehmends

Zunehmends is a form sometimes encountered in German-language texts with the apparent meaning “increasingly.” In modern standard German the usual adverb to express growing degree is “zunehmend.” The form “zunehmends” is rarely used today and is generally considered nonstandard or obsolete in formal writing.

Grammatically, “zunehmends” is not listed as a standard adverb in contemporary dictionaries. It is largely viewed as a mistaken variant or as an archaism that might appear in older literature or in regional speech. When attempting to convey gradual increase, writers typically choose “zunehmend” or the phrase “in zunehmendem Maße.”

Examples: “Die Anzahl der Fälle steigt zunehmend.” (standard). Alternatively: “Die Kosten steigen in zunehmendem Maße.” If you see “zunehmends” in a text, it is advisable to substitute “zunehmend” or a phrase such as “zunehmend mehr” depending on the context.

Siehe auch: zunehmend, immer mehr, in zunehmendem Maße, zunehmen.