improvement

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'improvement' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act or process of becoming or making something better or more complete, or to describe something that has been improved. For example, "We have seen an improvement in our sales figures since we implemented the new marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

O'Byrne said the single payment would be a "massive improvement" that would improve transparency for parents and service providers.

The Guardian

That was at Thirsk and there is no denying that others in this field have stronger form claims but few have her potential for improvement on just her second start and her pedigree is a pleasing blend of speed and more speed.

The Guardian - Sport

The improvement, where it exists, may be a result of some initiatives by the speaker, John Bercow.

The Guardian

During a recent visit, the Guardian was shown new accommodation and facilities that certainly seemed an improvement.

The Guardian

He declared himself delighted with his preparations, and this performance was a vast improvement on his dismal defeat by Lleyton Hewitt at Queen's last week.

The Guardian - Sport

Like-for-like sales in Europe fell 5.5% in the first quarter and the retailer does not expect any improvement in the region's economy this year.

The Guardian - Business

In both of those measures, the UK has been falling behind the average improvement for the rest of the world.

The Guardian

A typical combined salary for a WSL player also on one of 27 "central" England contracts is around £45,000 per annum – peanuts compared to their male peers but an infinite improvement on the £5 match fees commonly paid by leading clubs only a couple of decades ago.

The Guardian - Sport

Also, a lack of political will and rigid cultural norms do not favour the improvement of conditions for women, people with disabilities or minorities.

The Guardian

People I know are disillusioned with the system and want PR and don't believe in mainstream politics and I realise that although there is always room for improvement and modernisation, politics is always going to involve compromise and I feel those of my age who hold unrealistic ideological notions are wasting the opportunity many people across the world are denied.

The Guardian

There are supply side policies that stress improvement and quality; these need to be sought out and developed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "improvement", be specific about the area or aspect that has improved to provide clarity and context. For example, instead of saying "there's an improvement", specify "there's an improvement in customer satisfaction".

Common error

Be wary of vaguely claiming "improvement" without providing quantifiable data or specific evidence. This can weaken your argument and make it less persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The noun "improvement" functions as a nominalization, referring to the process or result of making something better. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its common use in expressing progress or positive change across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Opinion

5%

Lifestyle

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the noun "improvement" is a versatile term used to denote progress or betterment. As Ludwig AI highlights, it appears frequently in news, sports, and business contexts. When using "improvement", specificity is key – clearly defining what is improving strengthens the impact. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, avoid vague claims without supporting evidence. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "improvement" to communicate positive change in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

betterment

A direct synonym, indicating the act of making something better.

positive development

Focuses on the developmental aspect of the change, highlighting progress.

progress

Focuses on the forward movement and advancement.

enhanced quality

Emphasizes the betterment of the quality of something.

advancement

Similar to progress, but can also imply promotion or elevation.

increased value

Highlights the gain in worth or importance.

refinement

Indicates a subtle but significant enhancement or clarification.

upswing

Suggests a positive trend or increase, often in a business context.

amelioration

Implies a lessening of pain, difficulty, or negativity.

boost

Suggests a quick and noticeable enhancement or increase.

FAQs

How can I use "improvement" in a sentence?

You can use "improvement" to describe the act of making something better or the state of being improved. For example, "We've seen a significant "improvement" in our customer service ratings".

What are some alternatives to the word "improvement"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "betterment", "progress", or "advancement".

Is it always necessary to quantify "improvement"?

While not always strictly necessary, quantifying the "improvement" provides more credibility and clarity. For example, stating "a 20% "increase in" efficiency" is more impactful than simply stating "efficiency improvement".

What is the difference between "improvement" and "enhancement"?

"Improvement" generally refers to making something better than it was before, while "enhancement" suggests adding something to make it more valuable or attractive. An "improvement" might fix a flaw, while an "enhancement" might add a new feature. So "enhanced" quality is not always due to an "improvement", but could stem from adding new components.