improve over

USAGE SUMMARY

"improve over" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is becoming better than it was before. For example, "The new version of the software has improved over the previous version."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Threads must continually improve over time.

TechCrunch

Not all wines improve over time.

WikiHow

Fortunately many patients will improve over time.

The New York Times

Jennings could also improve over time.

The New York Times

Will this improve over time?

Harvard University

It will improve over time.

The Guardian - Tech

They're unlikely to improve over time.

The New York Times - Health

"I think I can improve over my best, but certainly improve over this year.

The New York Times - Sports

All these results improve over previous bounds.

Theoretical Computer Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

We differ and improve over [1, 3] in several ways.

EPJ Data Science

Headaches will worsen initially, but subsequently improve over several weeks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "improve over", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being surpassed or exceeded. For instance, specify if it's a previous version, a benchmark, or another entity.

Common error

Avoid using "improve over" without clearly specifying what is being improved upon. Vague usage can confuse the reader and diminish the impact of your statement. Always provide a clear point of comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improve over" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating an action of surpassing or exceeding a previous state, standard, or another entity. This is supported by Ludwig's analysis, which confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "improve over" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey that something has become better than a previous version or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable phrase in written English. It sees frequent use in News & Media, Science, and Academia. When using "improve over", it's crucial to provide context to clarify what is being surpassed. While alternatives like "exceed expectations" or "outperform" exist, "improve over" maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. Ludwig examples further illustrate its usage across diverse domains, reinforcing its acceptability and versatility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outperform

This term focuses on achieving better results than another entity or benchmark.

surpass

This term indicates exceeding a limit or boundary, differing from gradual improvement.

exceed expectations

This phrase suggests surpassing a specific anticipation or target, differing from a general betterment.

advance beyond

This phrase suggests moving forward and exceeding a certain point or level.

progress beyond

Indicates making advancements that go past a specific limitation.

get better than

This is a more casual and straightforward way of saying something becomes superior.

excel

This focuses on demonstrating superior quality or skill.

top

This implies reaching the highest point, exceeding all others in a specific aspect.

eclipse

Suggests overshadowing something, making it less significant by comparison.

outstrip

Emphasizes exceeding something in terms of quantity or degree.

FAQs

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

Use "improve over" to indicate that something has become better compared to a previous state or another entity. For example, "The new model significantly "improves over" its predecessor in terms of fuel efficiency".

What are some alternatives to "improve over"?

Alternatives include "exceed expectations", "outperform", or "surpass". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "improve on" instead of "improve over"?

While both "improve on" and "improve over" can be used, they carry slightly different meanings. "Improve on" suggests refining or enhancing something, while "improve over" implies surpassing or exceeding something else. The choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "improve over" and "get better than"?

"Improve over" is more formal and often used in professional or academic contexts. "Get better than" is a more casual and straightforward way of expressing that something has become superior. The choice depends on the tone and audience.