it improving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it improving" is not correct in standard written English.
It can be used in informal contexts, but it typically requires additional context or a verb to be grammatically correct. Example: "I noticed it improving over time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Behavioral economists fiddle with it, improving the assumptions and making them psychologically sensible.

The New York Times - Health

That's right, I was pulling your leg about it improving your memory.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The economy is not going well, and I don't see it improving".

The New York Times

"I think there's basically one thing on it — improving the balance sheets".

The New York Times

The problem with trade is when economists talk of it improving our living standards, they are mostly talking about imports.

The Guardian - Business

My take-home pay has effectively gone down over the last four years with no sign of it improving while the pay gap between essential frontline workers and those at the top of these services continues to grow.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

It Improves Lives".

The New York Times

Might it improve?

Independent

It improves the dessert.

The New York Times - Food

It improves it".

The New York Times - Style

Has it improved the NHS?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for formal writing, replace the phrase "it improving" with grammatically correct alternatives like "its improvement" or "it is improving".

Common error

A common mistake is using "it improving" without an auxiliary verb (e.g. is, was). Always ensure there's a proper verb form to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it improving" functions as a reduced clause, often lacking a necessary auxiliary verb like 'is' or 'was'. This omission leads to grammatical incorrectness, as noted by Ludwig. However, its prevalence in certain contexts suggests an attempt at brevity or informality.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it improving" is commonly used, it's grammatically incorrect without an auxiliary verb. As Ludwig points out, standard alternatives like "its improvement" or "it is improving" offer greater clarity and grammatical correctness, particularly in formal contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, reflecting a more informal or conversational style. When aiming for precision, it's best to opt for grammatically complete alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is getting better

Uses a more grammatically standard construction with a verb and adverb to describe the improving process.

its improvement

Replaces the verb form with a noun phrase, focusing on the state of improvement rather than the action.

it's showing progress

Focuses on the visible signs of improvement or advancement.

the situation is improving

Emphasizes that the entire situation is undergoing positive change.

it's on the mend

Employs an idiom to convey the idea of recovery or improvement from a negative state.

it is advancing

Highlights the forward movement and progress of something.

it is ameliorating

Uses a more formal verb to indicate improvement or betterment.

it is looking up

Uses an informal idiom to express optimism about the future improvement of something.

it is evolving positively

Suggests a gradual and beneficial transformation.

things are looking brighter

Implies a more optimistic and positive outlook due to improvements.

FAQs

Is "it improving" grammatically correct?

No, "it improving" is not grammatically correct in standard written English. The correct forms would be "its improvement" (noun phrase) or "it is improving" (verb phrase).

How can I use "it improving" in a sentence?

While "it improving" is grammatically questionable, you can use alternatives like "it is improving", which is a more standard construction. For example, "The situation is improving daily".

What's the difference between "it improving" and "its improvement"?

"It improving" is not grammatically correct on its own; it needs an auxiliary verb. "Its improvement" is a noun phrase that correctly refers to the act or state of something becoming better. For example, "Its improvement is evident".

What are some alternatives to "it improving"?

Alternatives include "it is getting better", "it is on the mend", or "the situation is improving". These options provide grammatically sound ways to convey a similar meaning.