improve things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "improve things" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing ways to enhance or make positive changes to various aspects of a situation, project, or process. Example: "We need to brainstorm new strategies to improve things in our department and increase overall efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

This might improve things.

The Economist

"I want to improve things," he says.

The New Yorker

But would his removal improve things?

The Economist

Would it improve things for Greece?

The Guardian - Business

Together, you strategise, organise and improve things.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I hope it's going to improve things.

Independent

What we do is work to improve things for them.

The Guardian

We're working to improve things for the future.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She is optimistic that surgery might improve things.

The Guardian

But what can a festival actually do to improve things?

The Guardian - Music

If you want to improve things, start charging a fee.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "improve things" when you want to generally express making a situation, process, or object better without specifying the exact method or outcome.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "improve things" without providing context or specifics. Instead, specify what you aim to improve and how you plan to achieve it for clearer communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improve things" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It expresses an action intended to positively modify or enhance a situation, object, or process. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, serving as a call to action or a statement of intent to make enhancements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "improve things" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys the intention or action of making positive changes. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability across diverse contexts. Its versatility makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. While it's a useful general phrase, it's important to provide context and specifics to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "make improvements" or "enhance aspects" can offer more precision depending on the situation. Ultimately, "improve things" serves as a concise and effective way to express a desire for betterment in various aspects of life and work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make improvements

Focuses on the act of implementing specific enhancements or changes.

enhance aspects

Highlights the process of improving specific parts or features of something.

better the situation

Emphasizes the improvement of an overall state or set of circumstances.

ameliorate conditions

Implies a lessening of negative conditions, often used in formal contexts.

rectify matters

Suggests correcting something that is wrong or deficient.

refine aspects

Focuses on making subtle improvements to something already good.

upgrade features

Indicates adding new capabilities or enhancing existing ones.

develop positively

Indicates progress or advancement in a favorable direction.

advance positively

Suggests taking steps towards improvement or progress.

build constructively

Emphasizes positive growth and development in a structured way.

FAQs

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

You can use "improve things" when you want to generally express making a situation, process, or object better. For example: "We need to brainstorm new strategies to "improve things" in our department and increase overall efficiency."

What are some alternatives to "improve things"?

You can use alternatives like "make improvements", "enhance aspects", or "better the situation" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "improve things" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "improve things" in both formal and informal writing when you want to generally convey the idea of making something better. However, be mindful of the context and consider using more specific language when necessary.

Is "improve things" grammatically correct?

Yes, "improve things" is grammatically correct. The verb "improve" is correctly used with the plural noun "things" to indicate making multiple aspects or elements better.