enhance

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "enhance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an action that improves or heightens something. For example: "The addition of new technology has enhanced the security of the building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In-store connectivity also opens up a wealth of other opportunities to engage customers in new ways and enhance the experience, from serving video advertising pre-Wi-Fi login to providing enhanced mobile services, such as loyalty apps.

The Guardian

Can so called "free market" activists pull the blinkers away for long enough to see that failing to act decisively on greenhouse gas emissions will eventually restrict people's freedoms, rather than enhance them?

The Guardian

"It does not enhance the privacy protections of American citizens, and it surely undermines American security by taking one more tool from our war fighters, in my view, at exactly the wrong time".

The Guardian

As RTE ringmaster Bill O'Herlihy tut-tutted in a fatherly and faux po-faced fashion, pundit Eamon Dunphy got to work with his new toy, an electronic pen with which he could enhance and illustrate his analysis by drawing white lines, circles, arrows and squiggles on a monitor after pausing the VT with an often aggressive roar of "Stop it there!" at some unseen flunkie in the production suite.

The Guardian - Sport

Luggya hopes the film will "open doors" for all players in Uganda, saying: "I think Ugandans realise that it is a brain game that can enhance their potential in all other aspects of life".

The Guardian

The provisional leadership that replaced him engineered constitutional changes to enhance parliamentary powers at the expense of the executive.

The Guardian

The Premier League chief executive, Richard Scudamore, said: "At the Premier League we are open to developments that enhance the competition and it was clear from watching the World Cup in Brazil that vanishing spray benefitted referees, players, and all of those who watched the matches.

The Guardian - Sport

A more business-friendly regulatory regime and the new security of the City of London from European interference will enhance competitiveness and compensate for the partial loss of access to the European market".

The Guardian

"But we're adding a bit of green and blue to enhance residents' feeling of well-being".

The Guardian

But Palestinian officials are dismissive of the argument, saying there is no peace process to speak of and that Israel has done little to enhance Abbas's credibility by continuing to expand Jewish settlements and treating him with contempt.

The Guardian

"We need her expertise at the helm of the Fed as our nation continues to recover from the Great Recession, completes Wall Street Reform rulemakings, and continues to enhance the stability of our financial sector," Senate banking committee chair Tim Johnson said.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "enhance", ensure the context clearly indicates what aspect is being improved or augmented. This adds precision and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "enhance" as a generic substitute for more specific verbs like "improve", "strengthen", or "develop". Choosing a more precise verb can make your writing more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "enhance" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being improved or augmented. Ludwig's examples showcase its usage in various contexts, consistently adhering to this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Enhance" is a versatile and frequently used transitive verb that means to improve the quality, value, or extent of something. It is considered grammatically correct and is commonly found in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, formal business writing, and scientific publications. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous real-world examples. When using "enhance", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being improved. While it's a useful term, avoid overuse and opt for more specific verbs when appropriate, as detailed earlier in this guide.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improve

This is a direct synonym, suggesting a general betterment.

augment

Implies adding something to increase its size or value.

elevate

Suggests raising something to a higher level, often in terms of status or quality.

strengthen

Focuses on making something more robust or resilient.

intensify

Implies making something stronger or more concentrated.

amplify

To increase the amplitude or magnitude, often used in technical contexts.

boost

A more informal term for improving or increasing something.

optimize

To make something as functional or effective as possible.

refine

Suggests making subtle improvements to something already good.

upgrade

Implies replacing something with a newer or better version.

FAQs

How to use "enhance" in a sentence?

You can use "enhance" to describe the act of improving the quality, value, or extent of something. For example, "The new software will enhance the user experience."

What can I say instead of "enhance"?

You can use alternatives like "improve", "augment", or "elevate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "enhance" or "intensify"?

"Enhance" generally means to improve or increase the quality or desirability of something, while "intensify" means to make something stronger or more extreme. The choice depends on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

What's the difference between "enhance" and "develop"?

"Enhance" suggests improving something that already exists, while "develop" implies creating or expanding something new or incomplete.