a substantial improvement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial improvement" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing significant progress or enhancement in a particular area or situation. Example: "The new software update has led to a substantial improvement in system performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The result has been gains against Al Qaeda and a substantial improvement in local security.

The New York Times

But it also depended on a substantial improvement in the Republicans' ground game.

The New York Times

definitely has noticed there has been a substantial improvement," he said.

The New York Times

There was better news for reformers in Cardiff with a substantial improvement in maths scores.

The Guardian

But in interviews across Basra, residents overwhelmingly reported a substantial improvement in their everyday lives.

The New York Times

On Friday, the 2013 full-year results announced are likely to show a substantial improvement.

The Guardian - Business

That is a substantial improvement over where they were at the halfway point last season.

The New York Times - Sports

Vague references to a "substantial" improvement in the job market were not enough.

The Economist

I enjoyed the first in the series very much, but would still say this second part is a substantial improvement.

The Guardian - Books

"If this report is accurate," Mr. Clinton said, "I would expect to see a substantial improvement this year.

The New York Times

Tighter cuts in the editing room or during the scripting process could have made a substantial improvement.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial improvement", ensure you quantify the improvement if possible. This adds credibility and clarity to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial improvement" when the change is only marginal. Overstating the impact can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial improvement" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, denoting a significant positive change or advancement. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

26%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial improvement" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase indicating a significant positive change. Ludwig's examples show it appears frequently across science, news media, and business contexts. While alternatives like ""a considerable enhancement"" or ""a significant advancement"" exist, this phrase maintains broad applicability. Ensure you quantify the improvement whenever possible and avoid overstating the impact to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable enhancement

Replaces 'substantial' with 'considerable', suggesting a notable but not necessarily dramatic improvement.

a significant advancement

Substitutes 'improvement' with 'advancement', implying progress to a more developed state.

a marked amelioration

Uses 'amelioration' for 'improvement', indicating a lessening of something negative; more formal.

a major upgrade

Replaces 'improvement' with 'upgrade', implying a change to a superior version.

a positive transformation

Replaces 'improvement' with 'transformation', indicating a fundamental change for the better.

a breakthrough innovation

Highlights the innovative aspect of the improvement, emphasizing a novel advance.

a remarkable leap forward

Uses 'leap forward' to convey a significant advancement in a particular area.

a quantum jump

Implies a discrete and significant increase, often in technology or performance.

a sea change

Indicates a profound or sweeping transformation, often societal or environmental.

a step change

Highlights a discrete change, typically in performance or efficiency.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial improvement" to describe a significant positive change. For example, "The new policy resulted in "a substantial improvement" in employee morale".

What are some alternatives to saying "a substantial improvement"?

Alternatives include "a considerable enhancement", "a significant advancement", or "a marked amelioration", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "substantial improvement" or "significant improvement"?

Both "substantial improvement" and "significant improvement" are correct. "Substantial" emphasizes the magnitude of the change, while "significant" highlights the importance of the change. The choice depends on which aspect you want to emphasize.

What's the difference between "a slight improvement" and "a substantial improvement"?

"A slight improvement" indicates a small or minor positive change, whereas ""a substantial improvement"" indicates a large or significant positive change.