an improvement to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an improvement to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing enhancements or upgrades made to a particular system, process, or item. Example: "The new software update is an improvement to the previous version, offering better performance and user experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We engineer a mechanism or an improvement to see if we can improve the function.

The New York Times

There's always an improvement to be made".

The Guardian - Sport

Yes, there was an improvement to be made there.

The New Yorker

THE TECHNOLOGY -Is it an improvement to or evolution of an existing technology?

The New York Times

More, he managed a few smiles — an improvement, to be sure, on the Tiger blueprint.

The New Yorker

I once sent a letter to the magazine recommending an improvement to football video games.

The New Yorker

Much of what's being called for is simply an improvement to the fabric of the city.

The Guardian - Opinion

She campaigned for an improvement to his conditions and formed committees to lobby for his release.

The Guardian - Books

In Indonesia, this meant an improvement to livelihoods through training projects which were integrated with rebuilding.

The Guardian - Opinion

Isn't viewer loyalty worth anything?" NBC called the changes an improvement to the overall show.

The New York Times

Taken together, recent developments count as an improvement to the economy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "an improvement to" with quantifiable results to showcase the impact of the improvement. For instance, 'an improvement to efficiency leading to a 20% reduction in costs'.

Common error

Avoid using "an improvement to" without specifying what aspect is being improved. For example, instead of saying 'the system saw an improvement to', specify 'the system saw an improvement to its processing speed'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an improvement to" functions as a noun phrase followed by a preposition, typically acting as a complement within a sentence. It indicates that something has been enhanced or made better in relation to something else, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an improvement to" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to denote a positive change or enhancement. As noted by Ludwig, its frequent occurrence across various domains, especially in science, news, and business contexts, underscores its broad applicability. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the subject of the improvement and consider quantifying the benefits. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness, making it a reliable choice for professional and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a refinement of

Focuses on making something more subtle or precise.

a betterment of

Implies making something better or of higher quality.

an upgrade to

Suggests replacing something with a newer or better version.

an enhancement of

Highlights the act of intensifying or improving quality.

a boost to

Indicates giving something a lift or increase in power or effectiveness.

a step forward for

Emphasizes progress and advancement in a particular area.

a positive change in

Focuses on the beneficial nature of the alteration.

a leap in

Suggests a significant or dramatic advancement.

a development in

Highlights the evolution or progress in a specific field.

a breakthrough for

Implies a major discovery or achievement that solves a problem.

FAQs

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

You can use "an improvement to" to describe enhancements or upgrades made to something. For example, "The new software update is "an improvement to" the previous version, offering better performance."

What are some alternatives to saying "an improvement to"?

Some alternatives include "a refinement of", "an enhancement of", or "an upgrade to", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "an improvement of" or "an improvement to"?

The correct and more commonly used phrase is ""an improvement to"". Using "of" in this context would be grammatically incorrect.

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

"An improvement to" implies a positive change or enhancement, whereas "a change to" simply indicates an alteration without necessarily implying a positive outcome. The former is evaluative, while the latter is neutral.