Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
failed to improve
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "failed to improve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a lack of progress or enhancement in a particular situation, performance, or condition. Example: "Despite numerous attempts to enhance the program, it ultimately failed to improve its efficiency."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Academia
Alternative expressions(17)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
They, too, failed to improve with chemotherapy.
News & Media
Renewal projects failed to improve them.
News & Media
The family's situation failed to improve, however.
Encyclopedias
But again Christie's performance failed to improve his poll numbers.
News & Media
But Kim has failed to improve the economy.
News & Media
But those failed to improve the company's sales.
News & Media
Further insulating this flow cell design failed to improve performance.
Science
Precise estimates indicate that PD and associated interventions failed to improve teacher and student outcomes.
Academia
However, to date, pharmacological therapies have failed to improve survival in multicenter clinical trials.
Academia
Adding higher concentrations of EPO to the culture medium failed to improve the inhibitory status.
Science
Annealing the glass/FTO/CdSe film also failed to improve its PEC stability or efficiency.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "failed to improve", ensure the context clearly indicates what was expected to improve and why it did not. Provide specific details to support your statement for clarity and impact.
Common error
Avoid using "failed to improve" without specifying the area or aspect that did not improve. Vague statements weaken the impact of your writing. Be precise and provide context to make your point effectively.
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "failed to improve" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as the predicate of a clause. It asserts the absence of positive change or progress in a specific context. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various sentences.
Frequent in
News & Media
37%
Science
35%
Academia
15%
Less common in
Wiki
3%
Encyclopedias
3%
Formal & Business
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "failed to improve" is a commonly used verb phrase indicating a lack of progress or positive change. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and versatile, appearing across various contexts, from News & Media to Science. It is crucial to provide specific context when using this phrase to enhance clarity and avoid overgeneralizations. Alternatives like "did not get better" or "remained unchanged" can be used based on the desired nuance. Overall, understanding its usage and context is key to effective communication.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
did not get better
Focuses on the lack of positive change in a general sense.
failed to get better
A more direct way of saying something did not improve.
did not succeed in improving
More explicit about the attempt to improve and the subsequent failure.
did not show progress
Emphasizes the absence of forward movement or advancement.
saw no improvement
Focuses on the absence of observable positive change.
did not make headway
Highlights the lack of advancement, often in overcoming obstacles.
did not advance
Emphasizes the lack of progress or advancement.
remained unchanged
Indicates a static condition with no positive development.
did not ameliorate
Uses a more formal term to indicate the lack of positive change or relief.
did not turn around
Suggests a failure to reverse a negative trend or situation.
FAQs
How can I use "failed to improve" in a sentence?
Use "failed to improve" to indicate a lack of progress or betterment in a specific situation. For example, "Despite the new policies, the economy "failed to improve"."
What are some alternatives to "failed to improve"?
Alternatives include "did not get better", "remained unchanged", or "did not show progress". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, "The patient's condition "remained unchanged"" suggests no change at all.
Is it better to say "did not improve" or "failed to improve"?
Both "did not improve" and "failed to improve" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. "Failed to improve" might suggest an expectation or attempt to improve, while "did not improve" is a more neutral statement.
What does it mean when something "failed to improve"?
When something "failed to improve", it means that despite efforts or expectations, it did not get better or show any positive progress. It remained in the same state or possibly worsened. A similar example would be "the team's performance "did not get better"".
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested