At least one rank is required to use a skill, and further ranks increase its effectiveness.

The ranks of the uninsured have increased by 10 percent over the past two years, with the likelihood that things may get worse this year.

A1 The ranks of the working homeless are increasing, people who run shelters say.

Indeed, their ranks nationwide have increased at an even faster rate than the number of prisoners.

And the ranks of its devotees have been increasing rapidly over the last 10 years.

The report contends that over the next five years, their ranks will increase by 353,000 as many current welfare recipients join the search for work.

The ranks of Hispanic lawmakers will increase from 10 to 17.

From 1995 to 2015, the government predicts, their ranks will increase by more than 40 percent.

As the ranks of its ministry increased, the church's outreach expanded.

"That means the ranks of the bears are increasing," he said.