Constitute an improvement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Constitute an improvement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing whether a change or action leads to a better situation or outcome. Example: "The new policy changes constitute an improvement in employee satisfaction and productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

MEP Marietje Schaake, a member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, was willing to hazard a politician's prediction that the proposals will be improved via the democratic process — albeit, what would constitute an improvement here of course depends on which side of the argument you stand.

TechCrunch

Few believe the latest incarnation – Local Healthwatch – will constitute an improvement.

The Guardian

"Just things like not seeing someone else's dirty shoe prints on the couch" constitute an improvement, he said.

The New York Times

But on the other hand, replacing butter with carbohydrates doesn't constitute an improvement as far as risk of cardiovascular disease.

The Washington Post

That much is true, although a place in the final would constitute an improvement on the last two major tournaments where France lost in the quarter-finals.

The Guardian - Sport

We don't think this freedom for developers would constitute an improvement to the current system, but it would almost certainly have a vastly negative effect on living standards at the lower end of the market.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"And the problem with the Bush plan is that it does not define what constitutes an improvement".

The New York Times

It constitutes an improvement of the force analysis technique published several years ago.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Those attitudes constituted an improvement over the month before and may have reflected the initial surge of optimism that the United States and Britain would defeat Iraq within days.

The New York Times

The material exhibited a methyl-orange dye removal efficiency of 65.3%, which constitutes an improvement of 10.8% compared to single-component chitosan microspheres.

Chemical Engineering Journal

The mass resolution exceeds m/Δm = 500, which provides isotopic resolution over the whole mass range of interest in current experiments and constitutes an improvement of almost an order of magnitude over other implementations.

International Journal of Mass Spectrometry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "constitute an improvement", clearly specify what is being improved and why it represents a positive change. This provides context and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "constitute an improvement" when the change is marginal or insignificant. Ensure the improvement is substantial enough to justify the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "constitute an improvement" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that something represents or forms a positive change. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it's used to assess the impact of changes or proposals.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

50%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "constitute an improvement" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that something represents a positive change or advancement. According to Ludwig, its frequent usage spans across various contexts, particularly in news, science and academia, demonstrating its widespread applicability. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is being improved and the degree to which the improvement is substantial. Alternatives such as "represent a betterment" or "signify a step forward" can offer nuanced variations. The neutral register of this phrase makes it suitable for a wide range of professional and academic communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Represent a betterment

Changes the verb and noun, offering a more formal tone.

Signify a step forward

Emphasizes progression and advancement.

Amount to a positive development

Focuses on the positive nature of the development.

Indicate a positive change

Highlights the shift towards a more favorable state.

Lead to an advancement

Suggests the action causes a forward movement.

Make for a better situation

Uses a more casual phrasing to describe a more desirable outcome.

Translate to an upgrade

Implies a move to a superior version or state.

Yield a superior result

Highlights the improved outcome or consequence.

Turn into a gain

Presents the change as something beneficial or advantageous.

Prove to be advantageous

Focuses on the beneficial aspects and the act of proving the advantages.

FAQs

How can I use "constitute an improvement" in a sentence?

You can use "constitute an improvement" to describe a change that leads to a better state or outcome. For instance, "The new regulations "constitute an improvement" in safety standards".

What are some alternatives to "constitute an improvement"?

Alternatives include "represent a betterment", "signify a step forward", or "amount to a positive development" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "constitute an improvement" or "is an improvement"?

"Constitute an improvement" implies that something forms or establishes an improvement, suggesting a more fundamental or significant change than simply saying something "is an improvement".

What's the difference between "constitute an improvement" and "ensure improvement"?

"Constitute an improvement" means something is a positive change, whereas "ensure improvement" means to guarantee that a positive change occurs. They have different meanings and aren't interchangeable.