an improvement over

USAGE SUMMARY

"an improvement over" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing one thing to another and noting that the second thing is better than the first. For example, "This new cell phone is an improvement over my old one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's an improvement over last year".

The New York Times

The breakfast buffet was an improvement over dinner.

The New York Times - Travel

Nevertheless, this year's event is an improvement over past years.

The New York Times - Arts

It was an improvement over his performance in Baltimore.

The New York Times - Sports

That is certainly an improvement over the past.

The New York Times

Any of those numbers would represent an improvement over 2010.

The Washington Post

The model provides an improvement over classic invert pendulum models.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

This is an improvement over the best previously known bounds.

Parallel Computing

But it would be an improvement over the past few years, and it would certainly be an improvement over the other likely alternative: death.

The New Yorker

Maybe, Penn State fans, he would have been an improvement over Anthony Morelli?

The New York Times

The SDGs are an improvement over their predecessors, the Millennium Development Goals.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an improvement over" when you want to clearly state that something is better than something else. Ensure the comparison is evident and the context makes the advantage clear. For instance, "The new software update is "an improvement over" the previous version, offering enhanced security features."

Common error

Avoid using "an improvement" without specifying what it is an improvement over. The phrase requires a clear point of reference to be meaningful. Instead of saying "This is an improvement", specify "This is "an improvement over" the old model."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an improvement over" functions as a comparative expression. It highlights the superior quality, performance, or condition of one thing in relation to another. As Ludwig AI shows, it is commonly used to express progress or advancement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an improvement over" is a widely used and grammatically sound way to express that something is better than something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, especially in news, science, and business. For clarity, always specify what the improvement is in relation to. While alternatives like "better than" or "superior to" exist, "an improvement over" provides a clear and direct comparison that is well-understood and accepted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

better than

A simpler, more direct comparison of quality.

a step up from

Focuses on the upward progression or advancement.

an upgrade from

Highlights the act of upgrading or enhancing something.

superior to

Emphasizes the higher quality or grade of something.

outperforming

Focuses on better performance or results.

a cut above

Suggests a noticeable difference in quality or status.

surpassing

Indicates going beyond or outdoing something else.

exceeding

Implies surpassing a certain standard or expectation.

a refinement of

Emphasizes the process of making something more polished or precise.

advancing beyond

Highlights the act of moving forward and surpassing previous limitations.

FAQs

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

Use "an improvement over" to show that something is better than something else. For example, "The new design is "a clear improvement over" the old one."

What's a simpler way to say "an improvement over"?

Alternatives include "better than", "superior to", or "a step up from", which are all ways of indicating that something is better than something else.

Is it always necessary to specify what something is "an improvement over"?

Yes, for clarity. Without specifying what's being compared, the phrase lacks context. Always state what the improvement is relative to, such as "This year's sales figures are "an improvement over" last year's".

Can "an improvement over" be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, the phrase is suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, in very formal contexts, you might opt for alternatives like "superior to" or "exceeding" for a slightly more elevated tone.