improve their lot

USAGE SUMMARY

"improve their lot" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone or something has been made better off or more fortunate. For example, "The government decided to pass a new law to improve the lot of small businesses in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Assuming that a life among wealthy neighbours will improve their lot is too complacent.

The Economist

The needy make their own judgments about outside schemes to improve their lot.

The Economist

They are now looking to their new ruler, Sidi Ould Sheikh Abdellahi, to improve their lot.

The Economist

Some longtime occupants said they wanted to believe the restoration would improve their lot.

The New York Times

But Britain did, in its muddling-through way, help despairing people improve their lot.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I cannot improve their lot because they have never had it so good".

The Guardian - Books

Inmates in Auschwitz-Birkenau tried to improve their lot with whatever talents they had.

The Guardian

Notwithstanding such generalizations, some individuals manage to improve their lot through education, political action, or entrepreneurship.

Britannica

The couple appeared determined to use the money Molefi earned in the mines to improve their lot.

The Guardian

Human writers do not appear to like characters attempting to improve their lot – and the world in which they live.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Burlingame sought to improve their lot when he made it to the East Coast.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about social or economic progress, use "improve their lot" to convey a sense of tangible betterment in living conditions or opportunities.

Common error

While acceptable, repeatedly using "improve their lot" can sound repetitive. Mix it up with synonyms like "enhance their prospects" or "better their situation" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improve their lot" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used to describe the purpose or goal of an action aimed at enhancing someone's circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

14%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "improve their lot" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that describes the act of making someone's life better. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile phrase applicable in diverse contexts, particularly in news, business, and academic writing. While the phrase is considered correct, varying your language with synonyms like "better their situation" or "enhance their prospects" can enhance your writing. The phrase is found in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, emphasizing its widespread acceptance and reliability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

better their situation

This alternative focuses on enhancing one's current circumstances.

enhance their prospects

This phrase emphasizes improving future possibilities or opportunities.

advance their welfare

This highlights improvements in overall well-being and comfort.

uplift their condition

This suggests raising someone from a lower state to a better one.

ameliorate their circumstances

This alternative focuses on making one's situation less bad or more tolerable.

boost their standard of living

This emphasizes improvements to the level of comfort and wealth available to someone.

elevate their status

This indicates raising someone's social or professional position.

upgrade their lifestyle

This focuses on improving the way someone lives their life.

enrich their lives

This suggests making one's life more meaningful or fulfilling.

transform their fortunes

This emphasizes a significant positive change in one's luck or wealth.

FAQs

How can I use "improve their lot" in a sentence?

You can use "improve their lot" to describe actions or policies aimed at making people's lives better. For instance, "The new education program aims to "improve their lot" by providing them with better skills."

What are some alternatives to "improve their lot"?

Alternatives to "improve their lot" include phrases like "better their situation", "enhance their prospects", or "advance their welfare", depending on the specific context.

Is "improve their lot" formal or informal?

"Improve their lot" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although using more specific synonyms might be appropriate in highly formal or academic writing.

What does it mean to say someone wants to "improve their lot"?

When someone wants to "improve their lot", it means they are striving to make their life better, whether through education, career advancement, or other means. It implies a desire for a more favorable situation.