little improved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little improved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that has seen a small amount of enhancement or progress. Example: "The project is little improved since our last meeting, but we are making strides in the right direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

But as the months went by little changed, little improved.

The Guardian - Books

Sadly, their grasp of the supply side appears little improved.

The Economist

In many respects, their conditions were little improved from those of their grandparents.

The New York Times

Little improved, however, and United desperately lacked a midfielder capable of dictating play from deep.

The Guardian - Sport

And for an Air Force little improved from the one our fathers knew.

The New York Times

Manning seemed little improved; his statistics were frustratingly identical, almost, to those from the previous two seasons.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

But as it expanded, it spent too much time chasing revenue and too little improving its online offerings.

The Economist

He's little by little improving.

BBC

But little by little it improved.

The Guardian

Then he engages her in a little improving dialectic: Olivia.

The New York Times - Books

Little has improved.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "little improved" to convey a sense of minor progress or change, often suggesting that the improvement is not substantial or significant. It's suitable when you want to temper expectations or acknowledge limited advancement.

Common error

Avoid using "little improved" when the improvement is actually significant. Overstating the lack of progress can undermine the actual achievements made. Ensure your description accurately reflects the extent of the advancement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little improved" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. As indicated by Ludwig, it's used to describe something that has experienced a minor degree of betterment, progress, or advancement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "little improved" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that something has gotten slightly better. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as an adjective modifying a noun, conveying that the extent of improvement is minimal. It's most frequently found in news and media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with the minor nature of the improvement to avoid misrepresentation. If a stronger sense of progress is intended, consider alternatives like "slightly better" or "somewhat enhanced".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly better

Indicates a marginal degree of improvement.

somewhat enhanced

Emphasizes a slight augmentation or increase in quality.

marginally enhanced

Highlights a minimal level of enhancement.

modestly ameliorated

Suggests a humble improvement in a negative situation.

hardly advanced

Highlights that progress is very limited.

minutely enhanced

Underlines the very small degree of betterment.

scarcely improved

Expresses that the improvement is barely noticeable.

only slightly advanced

Focuses on the small amount of progress made.

barely reformed

Implies a minimal level of positive change.

nominally improved

Stresses that the change is negligible or in name only.

FAQs

How can I use "little improved" in a sentence?

You can use "little improved" to describe a situation that has seen some progress, but not a lot. For example, "The patient's condition is "little improved" since the last checkup".

What are some alternatives to "little improved"?

Alternatives include "slightly better", "somewhat enhanced", or "marginally enhanced". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a little improved" instead of "little improved"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "A little improved" implies a more noticeable, though still small, degree of improvement than "little improved".

What is the difference between "little improved" and "not improved"?

"Little improved" means there has been some progress, even if it's minor. "Not improved" means there has been no progress at all; the situation remains the same or has worsened.