begin to improve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "begin to improve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the start of a positive change or progress in a situation or condition. Example: "After several weeks of therapy, I finally feel like I am beginning to improve my mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At that point, things seemed to begin to improve.

The New York Times

Not until yet another doctor took Mrs. Lamascola off the drugs did she begin to improve.

The New York Times

People will begin to improve their health when they begin seriously to improve their soil.

The New Yorker

Where do you begin to improve a team that smashed record after record into oblivion?

The Guardian - Sport

Unfortunately, conditions across the union will likely worsen before they begin to improve.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Expectations are that once the U.S. economy turns around, the gaming industry will begin to improve".

The New York Times

New initiatives like pay raises and mandatory literacy training should begin to improve professionalism and competency.

The New York Times

Yet there are signs that Labour's position could begin to improve.

The Guardian

If you stay on top of new debts, though, it should gradually begin to improve.

The New York Times

In fairness almost everybody else hammed it up too and towards the end it did begin to improve.

The Guardian

But he added that he would be "disappointed" if North American results did not begin to improve.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "begin to improve" when you want to emphasize the initial phase of positive change. This phrase is suitable for describing the start of progress in situations ranging from personal health to economic conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "begin to improve" in excessively passive constructions. Instead of saying "Improvements are beginning to be seen", opt for the active voice: "Conditions are beginning to improve".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin to improve" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the commencement of a positive change or betterment. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a valid and commonly used expression in English. It serves to denote the initial stages of advancement, recovery, or enhancement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "begin to improve" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that signals the start of positive change. Ludwig confirms its validity in English writing. Its neutral register and widespread application across various domains, including news, business, and science, make it a versatile expression. When using this phrase, consider the context and aim to avoid overly passive constructions for clarity. Alternatives such as "start to improve" or "show signs of progress" can provide stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start to improve

Focuses on the initiation of improvement, similar to the original phrase, but with a different verb.

start getting better

Replaces "improve" with a more informal and general term "getting better".

commence improving

Uses a more formal verb, "commence", to indicate the beginning of improvement.

see improvement

Shifts the focus to the observation of improvement rather than the action itself.

show signs of progress

Indicates early indicators of positive change, rather than a definitive start of improvement.

start to recover

Specifically implies a return to a healthier or more functional state.

turn the corner

Idiomatic expression indicating a critical turning point leading to improvement.

make headway

Focuses on making advancements or progress, typically in a specific task or project.

move in a positive direction

Describes the change as a general trend toward something better.

get on the right track

Indicates starting a course of action that is likely to lead to a positive outcome.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "begin to improve" for variety?

You can use alternatives like "start to improve", "show signs of progress", or "start getting better" depending on the context.

Is "begin to improve" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "begin to improve" is appropriate for formal writing, but for a more sophisticated tone, consider "commence improving".

What's the difference between "begin to improve" and "improve"?

"Begin to improve" indicates the start of the process, while "improve" suggests the process is already underway. For example, "The patient will begin to improve after the surgery", versus "The patient's health has improved significantly".

When should I use "begin to improve" over "get better"?

Use "begin to improve" in more formal or technical contexts. "Get better" is suitable for informal situations. For example, "The economy will "begin to improve" next year" is more formal than "I hope you "get better" soon".