improved over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "improved over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has become better compared to a previous state or version. Example: "The software has improved over the last year, offering more features and better performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

My nagging has definitely improved over time.

Huffington Post

Things improved over time, but very slowly.

The New York Times - Magazine

"He's improved over the last year.

The New York Times - Sports

Schaub's play has improved over the last two games.

The New York Times

The city has significantly improved over the last decade".

The New York Times

Miliband's personal ratings have hardly improved over the past year.

The Guardian

In fact, some say contact has improved over recent months.

The Guardian

The service has improved over the early years.

The New York Times - Tech

What has improved over the years is his finishing.

The Guardian - Sport

Success rates have improved over the past decade, however.

The Guardian

Fortunately, synthetics have improved over the last five years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "improved over" to highlight positive changes or advancements when comparing something across different time periods or versions. For example, "The software's performance has improved over the last update."

Common error

Avoid using "improved over" when there's no clear comparison point. Always ensure you're contrasting the current state with a previous one to demonstrate a tangible improvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improved over" functions as a verb phrase indicating a comparative enhancement or betterment across time or versions. It suggests that something has progressed positively relative to a previous state. Ludwig indicates that this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "improved over" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to describe enhancements or progress over time, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most frequently used in news and scientific contexts to highlight positive changes or advancements. While alternatives like "enhanced compared to" or "surpassed" exist, "improved over" provides a clear and neutral way to indicate betterment. To ensure correct usage, always provide a clear point of comparison to demonstrate the improvement, otherwise the statement will lack of substance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enhanced compared to

Focuses on the degree of enhancement or better quality relative to something else.

got better than

A simpler, more direct way of saying something has become superior.

surpassed

Indicates exceeding a certain limit, expectation, or standard.

outstripped

Implies exceeding something, often in terms of speed or progress.

advanced beyond

Suggests development to a stage beyond a certain point.

progressed past

Focuses on movement forward and beyond a specific point or state.

exceeded

Highlights surpassing a particular level or expectation.

outdone

Implies surpassing in performance or achievement.

bettered

A concise way to say that something has become better.

gained ground on

Suggests making progress and reducing the gap with something else.

FAQs

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

You can use "improved over" to describe something that has gotten better compared to its previous state. For example, "The city's air quality has "improved over" the last decade".

What are some alternatives to using "improved over"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "enhanced compared to", "surpassed", or "progressed past" instead of "improved over".

Is it correct to say "improved from" instead of "improved over"?

While "improved from" might be understood, "improved over" is generally preferred when indicating progress or betterment across a period or in comparison to a prior condition. "Improved from" can also be correct, but it implies a recovery scenario, such as 'he improved from his illness'.

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

"Improved over" typically describes a change that occurs with time or development, whereas "better than" is a more general comparison. For instance, "The new model is better than the old one" versus "The new model's performance has "improved over" previous versions".