Increasing or Increased?

[bccbpe]

Which is correct?

'Increasing pressure' or 'Increased pressure'?

This is actually quite confusing me when I read both of them in my text book. Are they both correct in written english?

Thanks.

[David L.]

'increasing pressure' means that the pressure is continuing to increase, going up all the time.
During winter, I increase the pressure in my car tyres from 28psi to 32. There is then 'increased pressure' in my tyres.

[bccbpe]

David, thanks for the speedy response.

Can I say 'Joe's dishonesty behavior is due to his increasing financial pressure'?

[David L.]

'Joe's dishonest behavior is due to ...'

'Joe's dishonest behavior is due to increased financial pressures'

[bccbpe]

Thanks, David. I see what you mean.

How about 'There is an increasing number of overseas students studying at UK universities'? This is correct, isn't it?

By the way, can I ask if you and most of the senior members here are British English speakers or Amercian ones?

Cheers.

[engee30]

'Joe's dishonest behavior is due to ...'

'Joe's dishonest behavior is due to increased financial pressures'

To my way of thinking, the use of either is fine, but with the difference you pointed out before:

Joe's dishonest behavior is due to increased/increasing financial pressures.

[David L.]

This is a terribly fine point. At the time when he stole, or committed some white collar crime, he was aware that his income did not match his outgoing, and resorted to theft. But did he or did he not know that his outgoing would continue to increase? - 'increasing financial pressures'. If one's outgoing is 'increasing', just when does it stop, for God's sake? That situation might well drive most of us to desperate action with kid's to feed, clothe, and keep warm in a British winter!