a great improvement

USAGE SUMMARY

"a great improvement" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has been made much better than it was before. For example: "His painting technique has seen a great improvement since last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He says almost all qualified students now do find places -- a great improvement from a decade ago.

The New York Times

He's a great improvement".

The New York Times

"We had a great improvement from Atlanta".

The New York Times - Sports

They are certainly a great improvement.

The Guardian - Arts

This caused a scandal, and a great improvement.

The New Yorker

That would be a great improvement".Would that convince others?

The Economist

The development of distance-interval systems was a great improvement.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"There has been a great improvement in the way I hear things," he declared.

The New York Times

This has enabled a great improvement in the provision of some public services.

The Guardian

Though not perfect, it's a great improvement over the status quo.

The New York Times

"Not nearly enough, but still a great improvement has taken place".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a great improvement" to highlight a clear and significant positive change or advancement in a specific context. For instance, "The new software represents a great improvement over the previous version."

Common error

Avoid using "a great improvement" for trivial or insignificant changes. Reserve it for situations where the enhancement is substantial and readily apparent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great improvement" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig shows examples where it describes a significant positive change or advancement. It is used to express that something has become substantially better.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great improvement" is a commonly used phrase that signifies a substantial positive change. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing frequently in news, scientific literature, and general discourse. While adaptable to various contexts, it's most appropriately used to describe changes that are truly significant. Alternatives like ""a significant advance"" or ""a marked enhancement"" can be used to convey similar meanings, with subtle differences in emphasis. Remember to avoid overusing the phrase for minor changes to maintain clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant advance

Focuses on the progression or forward movement achieved.

a marked enhancement

Emphasizes the noticeable quality or degree of the betterment.

a substantial gain

Highlights the quantifiable benefit or advantage obtained.

a considerable step forward

Implies movement from one point to another in a positive direction.

a major upgrade

Suggests that the updated version is vastly superior.

a positive development

Indicates the change is generally favorable or beneficial.

a welcome change

Expresses satisfaction or relief that the change has occurred.

a boost in quality

Specifically emphasizes the enhancement of quality.

an important refinement

Focuses on the improved precision or subtlety.

a breakthrough achievement

Implies remarkable progress has been made, often suddenly.

FAQs

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

You can use "a great improvement" to describe something that is significantly better than it was before. For example, "The new engine is "a great improvement" over the old one" or "There's been "a great improvement" in her grades this semester".

What are some alternatives to "a great improvement"?

Some alternatives include "a significant advance", "a marked enhancement", or "a substantial gain". The best choice depends on the specific context and what aspect of the improvement you want to emphasize.

Is it better to say "great improvement" or "major improvement"?

Both "great improvement" and "major improvement" are correct, but "major improvement" ("a major improvement") might suggest a more fundamental or impactful change, while "great improvement" ("a great improvement") simply emphasizes the degree of positive change.

What's the difference between "an improvement" and "a great improvement"?

"An improvement" indicates any positive change, while ""a great improvement"" suggests that the change is substantial and significant. The latter implies a more noticeable or impactful positive difference.