improves upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "improves upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe how something is made better or enhanced compared to its previous version or a similar thing. Example: The new model of the car improves upon the old one with its upgraded engine and improved fuel efficiency.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Rise of the Tomb Raider improves upon its predecessors formula.

The Guardian - Tech

The M-G-M motion picture improves upon the book in a number of ways.

The New Yorker

She has written a sequel that improves upon the first book.

The New York Times - Books

It might end up being one of the rare reboots that improves upon the previous incarnation.

The Guardian - Film

The hope is simply that each model improves upon the last.

The New Yorker

Their quiet firmness improves upon, by humanizing, the hysterical flurries of Futurism conducted at Italian tempo.

The New York Times - Arts

That improves upon the array of modest reforms the industry has embraced in a belated effort to restore investor confidence.

The New York Times

This approach improves upon older, less effective tactics like "talking head" videos of agents on Web sites, Ms. Cox said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Just when you think you've seen his best, he improves upon it.

The New York Times

A new roll-bending model is proposed which improves upon traditional roll-bending processes.

International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture

Furthermore, the kinetics of formation of the chemisorbed OH groups improves upon manganese oxide incorporation.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "improves upon" when you want to emphasize that something is not just different, but demonstrably better than a previous version or alternative.

Common error

While "improves upon" is widely accepted, consider using simpler alternatives like "improves" or "builds on" in casual conversations to avoid sounding overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improves upon" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that something enhances or surpasses something else. As evidenced by the Ludwig AI examples, it's used to describe advancements and enhancements in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "improves upon" is a widely used and grammatically sound phrase that signifies enhancement or surpassing of a previous state. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's commonly found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. While versatile, consider the formality of your writing and choose simpler alternatives for casual settings. By understanding its nuances and contexts, you can effectively use "improves upon" to clearly communicate advancements and progress. Remember to emphasize genuine enhancements when using the phrase, ensuring your writing reflects meaningful improvements. Considering the semantic field, words like "enhances", "builds on" or "advances" could be taken into consideration to enrich your expressive variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enhances

Focuses on the act of making something better, often in quality or attractiveness.

builds on

Implies adding to an existing foundation, suggesting gradual development.

advances

Highlights progress or movement forward, often in a significant way.

refines

Suggests making something more polished or precise through careful adjustments.

surpasses

Indicates exceeding a previous standard or achievement.

outperforms

Specifically used when comparing performance, showing a better result.

ameliorates

Formal term suggesting improvement of a negative condition or situation.

perfects

Suggests achieving a state of flawlessness or ideal condition.

modifies beneficially

Describes a change that results in a positive outcome or advantage.

elevates

Highlights raising something to a higher level or status.

FAQs

How do I use "improves upon" in a sentence?

Use "improves upon" to indicate that something is better or more advanced than something else, such as: "The new software "improves upon" the previous version with a faster interface".

What's a synonym for "improves upon"?

Synonyms for "improves upon" include "enhances", "builds on", and "advances". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "improves on" instead of "improves upon"?

While "improves on" is also correct, ""improves upon"" adds a slight emphasis on the enhancement or surpassing of a previous state.

What's the difference between "improves upon" and "builds upon"?

"Improves upon" suggests a direct enhancement, whereas "builds upon" implies a gradual development on an existing foundation.