improve from

USAGE SUMMARY

The use of 'improve from' in written English is not considered standard grammar; rather, it would be better to use the phrase 'improve upon.' For example: "He is determined to improve upon last year's sales figures."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Things improve from there.

The Guardian - Sport

"We'll improve from that".

The Guardian - Sport

Things didn't really improve from there.

The Guardian

Things did not improve from here.

The New York Times - Arts

Unfortunately, things don't improve from there.

The New York Times - Books

But we've got to improve from there.

The Guardian - Sport

Today, education schools face pressure to improve from all directions.

The New York Times

Quarterback Brian Griese will improve from an awkward start.

The New York Times - Sports

I've got to learn and improve from that.

The Guardian - Sport

It's easier to improve from such a low starting point.

The Washington Post

Mean scaled scores did not improve from midpoint to endpoint.

Evaluation and Program Planning

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for formal writing, consider using "improve upon" instead of "improve from" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "from" to indicate what is being enhanced. "From" typically denotes origin or source, not the object of improvement. Use "upon" instead, or rephrase the sentence for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improve from" functions as a prepositional phrase aimed at describing the action of making something better. Ludwig AI identifies it is as grammatically questionable and advises using "improve upon" instead.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "improve from" is frequently encountered, particularly in news and media contexts, as indicated by Ludwig's analysis. However, it's essential to acknowledge that Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect and suggests using "improve upon" as a more standard alternative. While the intent is clear – to express enhancement or progress – sticking to established grammatical norms ensures clarity and credibility in writing. Despite its common usage, especially in less formal settings, writers should carefully consider the context and audience, opting for "improve upon" in more formal and academic work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improve upon

Replaces "from" with "upon", which is grammatically more standard when indicating enhancement.

build upon

Suggests using something as a foundation for further development, shifting the focus from correction to expansion.

advance from

Emphasizes progression or forward movement from a starting point.

evolve from

Implies gradual development and transformation over time.

develop from

Focuses on the process of growth and maturation from an initial state.

get better from

A more conversational way to express positive change resulting from something.

grow out of

Indicates surpassing a previous state or limitation, often implying maturity.

benefit from

Highlights the positive gains or advantages derived from a specific source or situation.

learn from

Focuses on acquiring knowledge or skills from experience, emphasizing the educational aspect of improvement.

profit from

Stresses the gains or advantages derived, typically in a material or measurable sense.

FAQs

What's a grammatically correct alternative to "improve from"?

The standard alternative is "improve upon", which is widely accepted as the correct preposition to use in this context.

Is it always wrong to use "improve from"?

While "improve from" is commonly used, especially in informal contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing. Opt for "improve upon" for clarity and correctness.

How can I use "improve upon" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "The company aims to improve upon its customer service strategies this year."

What's the difference between "improve upon" and "improve from"?

"Improve upon" is grammatically correct and means to enhance or make something better. "Improve from" is generally considered non-standard English and should be avoided in formal writing.