it improves upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it improves upon" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing how something enhances or builds on a previous version or idea. Example: "The new software version improves upon the previous one by offering faster processing speeds and a more user-friendly interface."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"It improves upon our understanding of these objects to have their knowledge of them," Mr. Gover, the museum director, said of the guest curators.

The New York Times - Arts

Harnessing all that effort so it improves upon nonvirtual reality.

Forbes

It improves upon pilot-based estimates by 1-2 dB in realistic cases.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Our proof is more transparent and it improves upon Lin's result in several ways.

Journal of Functional Analysis

It improves upon the quadratic algorithm by Amir et al. (2012) [1] for HSC for k= 5 binary strings.

Theoretical Computer Science

You can't get this sort of quality, speed, and system design out of lesser printers and it improves upon the Form 1 to a degree that is unparalleled.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

It improved upon its predecessor, the Mk VIB Light Tank, by introducing the extra firepower of a 2 pounder gun.

Wikipedia

-How will it improve upon an existing technology or existing products?

The New York Times

How does his latest creation work, and how does it improve upon the first system of illuminated markers?

The New York Times

A journeyman was expected to use a master work as a starting point of reference and extend it, improving upon the original.

Smart Learning Environments

Also, it improved upon a physical electro-thermal model reported by Menzel et al. [153] which attempts at calculating the CF temperature precisely.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it improves upon", ensure it's clear what 'it' refers to and what the previous version or method is. This provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it improves upon" without clearly specifying what is being improved. Always provide context to ensure clarity and avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it improves upon" functions as a verb phrase indicating enhancement or betterment. It's commonly used to describe how something is superior to a previous version or method, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it improves upon" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that something is better than a previous version or method. Ludwig highlights that this phrase is prevalent in scientific, news media, and formal business contexts. To ensure clarity, always specify what 'it' refers to and what it is improving upon. Alternatives include "it enhances" or "it builds upon". While grammatically correct and widely used, remember to provide context for optimal understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it betters

A more direct and concise way of saying something makes something else better.

it enhances

Focuses on the act of enhancing, suggesting an increase in quality or desirability without directly implying a previous version.

it builds upon

Emphasizes adding to a base or foundation, suggesting gradual development or expansion.

it refines

Suggests a process of purification or clarification, focusing on making something finer or more precise.

it advances

Implies forward movement or progress, suggesting a significant step beyond the current state.

it surpasses

Highlights exceeding a certain level or standard, implying a greater achievement compared to something else.

it perfects

Suggests reaching a state of flawlessness or completion, indicating a very high level of improvement.

it elevates

Highlights the act of raising something to a higher level, implying a significant improvement in status or quality.

it amplifies

Focuses on increasing the strength or intensity of something, suggesting a significant boost in impact or effect.

it revolutionizes

Implies a complete and fundamental change, suggesting a transformation that goes far beyond simple improvement.

FAQs

How can I use "it improves upon" in a sentence?

Use "it improves upon" to show how something is better than a previous version or method. For example, "The new software "it improves upon" the previous one by offering faster processing speeds."

What are some alternatives to "it improves upon"?

You can use alternatives like "it enhances", "it builds upon", or "it surpasses" depending on the context.

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

While "it improves on" might be acceptable in some contexts, ""it improves upon"" is generally considered more formal and grammatically correct.

What's the difference between "it improves upon" and "it enhances"?

"It improves upon" implies a direct comparison to a previous version, whereas "it enhances" simply means it makes something better without necessarily referencing a prior state.