a certain improvement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain improvement" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a specific or definite improvement, rather than a general one. Example: "The new management implemented a series of changes that led to a certain improvement in the company's overall performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

His recent mythical epic, Immortals, saw a certain improvement in his narrative skills but a diminution in the power of the images.

The Guardian - Film

Nkurunziza told Trump his "victory is the victory of all Americans", and officials say they expect "a certain improvement" in relations.

The Guardian

Compared with plain PHB, the blends exhibited a certain improvement in mechanical properties.

Polymer

This can be explained by the fact that when pastoralists use these drugs, they observe a certain improvement in the health of their animals.

Pastoralism

This indicates a certain improvement potential for the design of geogrid reinforced soil structures and thereby for the general acceptance of geogrid reinforced soil.

Transportation Geotechnics

Compared with mimotope-based methods, patch-based methods and two other prediction methods, the sensitivity of the new method offers a certain improvement.

Journal of Theoretical Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The purpose of a design change is to modify a portion of a product for certain improvement purposes such as adding values or reducing costs.

Computers in Industry

The proposal on the table is to give the tickets to every teacher and counselor in a school whose students reach certain improvement goals, said Ms. Amlung and a Board of Education official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The New York Times

Under the proposal, offered in contract discussions with the United Federation of Teachers, the Board of Education would give a round-trip ticket to anywhere in the country to every teacher in a school whose students reached certain improvement goals during the summer session.

The New York Times

Teachers in schools where students reached certain improvement goals would receive an extra reward: round-trip airline tickets to anywhere in the country.

The New York Times

Teachers in schools where students reached certain improvement goals would get an extra reward: round-trip airline tickets to anywhere in the country.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a certain improvement" to indicate a specific, identifiable positive change rather than a vague or general one. For instance, "The new software update brought a certain improvement in processing speed."

Common error

Avoid using "a certain improvement" when the change is negligible or insignificant. Misusing it can undermine your credibility. Reserve this phrase for demonstrable and noteworthy changes, because it's not "a slight improvement".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain improvement" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object or subject complement in a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates a specific positive change. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing enhancements in various fields, from film narrative to mechanical properties.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a certain improvement" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a specific positive change. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, supported by examples across science, news, and formal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the improvement is tangible and significant enough to warrant the description. Consider alternative phrases such as "noticeable enhancement" or "marked progress" based on the specific nuance you want to convey. Avoid using it for negligible changes or overstating its significance. Its versatility makes it suitable for a range of professional and academic writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a noticeable enhancement

Emphasizes the visibility or detectability of the improvement.

a definite betterment

Highlights the assuredness and positive nature of the change.

a marked progress

Focuses on the advancement or forward movement achieved.

a tangible gain

Stresses the concrete and measurable aspect of the improvement.

a positive development

Indicates the beneficial and constructive nature of the change.

a degree of progress

Indicates that there is improvement, but it may be limited.

some advancement

Highlights that there has been progress, but without quantifying it.

a slight advance

Implies the improvement is relatively small or modest.

an upward trend

Suggests a general direction of improvement over time, not a singular event.

a step forward

Highlights the forward direction of the modification.

FAQs

How can I use "a certain improvement" in a sentence?

You can use "a certain improvement" to point out a specific positive change. For example: "The revised strategy led to a certain improvement in sales figures."

What's a good alternative to "a certain improvement"?

Alternatives include phrases like "noticeable enhancement", "definite betterment", or "marked progress", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "a certain improvement" or "a significant improvement"?

The choice depends on the magnitude of the change. "A significant improvement" implies a larger, more impactful change, while "a certain improvement" simply highlights that there was a change, without quantifying its impact. If the improvement is substantial, "a significant improvement" is more appropriate.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "a certain improvement"?

It's best to avoid using "a certain improvement" when the positive change is too minor to be noteworthy, or is merely subjective. It should be used when there is objective evidence of a tangible gain.