an improvement on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an improvement on" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is better than something else. Example: This new software is an improvement on the old version, with more features and better functionality.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I really hope she's an improvement on the last one.

The Guardian - Opinion

The new revue at The Establishment (Greek Street) is an improvement on the first one.

The Guardian

It's an improvement on the last one, but this is so defiantly crass, it's almost admirable.

The Guardian - Film

An early reality check for fans hoping for an improvement on last season's seventh place.

The Guardian - Sport

Is Clegg an improvement on Campbell?

The Guardian - Opinion

Is Miliband an improvement on Brown?

The Guardian - Opinion

That was an improvement on Walter's situation.

The Guardian - Books

That's an improvement on four years ago.

The Guardian - Sport

Hardly an improvement on the status quo.

The Guardian

And that's an improvement on last season.

The Guardian - Sport

And it was certainly an improvement on last year.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an improvement on", clearly specify what you are comparing it to. This provides context and strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "an improvement on" without specifying what is being improved upon. This can leave your audience confused and unsure of the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an improvement on" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, used to indicate that one thing is better or more advanced than another. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an improvement on" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is better than something else. Ludwig AI confirms this, noting its frequent and correct usage. The phrase is versatile, fitting comfortably in news articles, scientific papers, and business reports. When using this phrase, it's best practice to clearly specify what is being compared. While the phrase can be used in many contexts, it's important to avoid vagueness to ensure clarity. As seen from the sources, it's quite frequent in "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business" contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a step up from

Indicates that something is better than a previous version or state. The focus is on moving to a higher level.

a betterment over

Implies that something has become better, with a focus on the positive change.

a progression from

Suggests that something has evolved or advanced from a previous stage. The focus is on the process of development.

an advancement upon

Highlights the progress or forward movement made in relation to something else. It's more formal.

a refinement of

Indicates a more subtle improvement, focusing on making something more precise or polished. Often used in technical contexts.

a superior version of

Emphasizes the higher quality or performance of something compared to its predecessor.

a more developed iteration of

Highlights a more mature or advanced stage in the evolution of something.

a leap forward from

Implies a significant and substantial improvement, suggesting a major breakthrough.

a boost relative to

Indicates an increase or enhancement when compared to something else, often used in quantitative contexts.

a positive evolution from

Stresses that something has evolved in a good or beneficial way.

FAQs

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

You can use "an improvement on" to show that something is better than something else. For example, "This new model is "an improvement on" the previous one because it's more efficient."

What's a less formal way to say "an improvement on"?

If you're looking for a less formal alternative, you could say something like "a step up from" or "better than."

Is it correct to say "an improvement of" instead of "an improvement on"?

While "an improvement of" can be used, ""an improvement on"" is more common when comparing two things. "An improvement of" often refers to the act of improving something.

What are some synonyms for ""an improvement on"" that I can use to vary my writing?

Some synonyms include "a step up from", "a betterment over", or "a progression from" depending on the specific context.