improve something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "improve something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the enhancement or betterment of a particular item, process, or situation. Example: "We need to find ways to improve something in our workflow to increase efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

It is harder to improve something that is already written, or to write something altogether new.

The Guardian - Tech

"In Havana now, if the rapper doesn't talk about something to improve something, the public doesn't respond to it".

The New York Times

Still, the pressure is on to improve something that was once understood to be a lucky side effect to procreation.

The New York Times - Magazine

He has done the kinds of things some editors do when they try to improve something that was fine to begin with.

The New York Times

"Why buy something new when you can improve something you already have?" said David Yap, who was volunteering at the stand.

The Guardian

Rhodes's attitude was "right, I'll show you, I'll get myself better, I'll improve" – something he has done to such an extent that Arsène Wenger was singing his praises before Blackburn's surprise fifth-round win at Arsenal.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

"I made up for that by getting a lot of seafood — that's my idea of improving something, is throwing a lot of seafood at it".

The New York Times

PARIS — Just when you think that long-strained French-American relations might be improving, something happens to show that we've got a long way to go.

The New York Times

The dog comes on a fresh, hot pretzel bun with yellow mustard, and it's as good an example as you'll find of an American restaurant vastly improving something lowbrow without falling into the trap of making it highbrow.

The New York Times - Food

We are not improving something that existed.

Science Magazine

Instant broadband anywhere you go? Yeah, now that the weather is finally improving, something like that could come in handy.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "improve something", ensure the context is clear about what specific aspect is being enhanced. Being precise adds clarity to your writing and helps the reader understand the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "improve something" without specifying what needs improvement. This vagueness can confuse readers and diminish the impact of your statement. Always provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improve something" functions as a verb phrase where "improve" is the verb and "something" acts as the direct object. This phrase indicates the act of enhancing or making a particular, unspecified item or aspect better. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

28%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "improve something" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that denotes the act of enhancing or making something better. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general communication. While versatile, it's important to specify what is being improved to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "enhance something" or "refine something" can be used to add nuance. By considering these aspects, writers can effectively use "improve something" to convey their intended meaning with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enhance a feature

Focuses on making a specific feature better.

refine an element

Suggests making small, precise improvements to a specific element.

upgrade a system

Implies a significant change or enhancement to a system.

optimize a process

Focuses on making a process more efficient.

develop an aspect

Highlights the growth and expansion of a particular aspect.

modify a component

Suggests making changes to a specific component.

advance a skill

Emphasizes progress in a specific skill or ability.

amend a detail

Suggests correcting or improving a specific detail.

boost performance

Highlights increasing performance.

perfect a technique

Implies striving for flawlessness in a technique.

FAQs

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

You can use "improve something" to indicate enhancing or making something better. For example, "We need to "improve something" in our customer service process to boost satisfaction."

What are some alternatives to "improve something"?

Alternatives include "enhance something", "refine something", or "upgrade something", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it better to use "improve something" or "make something better"?

"Improve something" is generally more concise and direct. However, "make something better" can be used for emphasis or when simplicity is preferred.

What's the difference between "improve something" and "optimize something"?

"Improve something" suggests a general enhancement, while "optimize something" implies making it as effective or functional as possible, often in terms of efficiency or performance.