incremental improvement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incremental improvement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing gradual enhancements or progress in a process, product, or system over time. Example: "The company focuses on incremental improvement to enhance product quality and customer satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

They saw incremental improvement against the Patriots.

The New York Times - Sports

But the incremental improvement received a lukewarm reception from investors.

The New York Times

To achieve some questionable incremental improvement in my performance?

The Guardian

"There is," he said, "very incremental improvement over the years".

The New York Times

Nike's lighter shoeboxes are perhaps an example of incremental improvement.

The Guardian

An incremental improvement for sure, but on this issue, sensible people take what they can get.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

But again, really, these are incremental improvements.

The Guardian - Tech

It is an amalgam of dozens of incremental improvements.

The New York Times

Along with the incremental improvements come other changes.

The New York Times - Science

Incremental improvements over the years have made a difference.

The Economist

MOST scientific research is about incremental improvements to existing theories.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incremental improvement" to highlight a series of small changes that collectively lead to a significant overall advancement over time. For example, instead of saying "The new software is better," specify that it represents an "incremental improvement" in user experience and processing speed.

Common error

Don't use "incremental improvement" when describing a complete overhaul or revolutionary change. This phrase is best suited for situations where progress is gradual and continuous, not sudden or transformative. Use terms like "complete transformation" or "paradigm shift" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incremental improvement" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the process or result of making gradual advancements or enhancements. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and grammatically sound expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incremental improvement" is a widely used noun phrase that describes gradual and consistent progress. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent occurrence across various contexts, including News & Media and Science. It's essential to use this phrase accurately, ensuring it reflects a step-by-step progression rather than a sudden or transformative change. Alternatives such as "gradual advancement" or "steady growth" can be used depending on the specific nuances you wish to convey. Remember to focus on the scale of the improvement and choose vocabulary that accurately reflects that scale.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradual advancement

Replaces "improvement" with "advancement", emphasizing the forward movement.

step-by-step progress

Uses a more descriptive and literal approach to highlight the sequential nature of the progress.

progressive development

Focuses on the ongoing and evolving nature of the improvement.

steady growth

Emphasizes the continuous and consistent nature of the positive change.

marginal gain

Highlights the small but positive results achieved through the improvement.

small-scale advancement

Emphasizes the size of the improvement.

gradual refinement

Suggests a process of making small changes to improve something.

evolutionary change

Highlights the evolutionary nature of the improvement.

measured progress

Focuses on the deliberate and quantifiable aspect of the progress.

limited enhancement

Emphasizes the limited scale of the enhancement achieved.

FAQs

How can I use "incremental improvement" in a sentence?

You can use "incremental improvement" to describe gradual progress, such as: "The team focused on "incremental improvement" to enhance product quality" or "The new feature represents an "incremental improvement" over the previous version".

What are some alternatives to "incremental improvement"?

Alternatives include "gradual advancement", "step-by-step progress", or "steady growth" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "incremental improvement" and "radical change"?

"Incremental improvement" refers to small, gradual changes, while "radical change" implies a significant and fundamental transformation. An "incremental improvement" builds on existing foundations, while radical change often involves a complete departure from the previous state.

When is it appropriate to use "incremental improvement" versus "significant advancement"?

Use "incremental improvement" when progress is gradual and continuous. Opt for "significant advancement" when describing a noticeable and substantial leap forward. For instance, a software update with minor bug fixes would be an "incremental improvement", whereas a complete redesign and feature overhaul would be a significant advancement.