make an improvement

USAGE SUMMARY

"make an improvement" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to trying to make a situation better or more efficient. For example, "The business implemented a new strategy to make an improvement to their customer service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Here is where I can make an improvement.

The New York Times - Health

"You should always try to make an improvement if it's possible".

The New York Times - Magazine

McCarthy says he is comfortable with Morgan's comments and admits Wolves need to make an improvement from 17th place during the second half of the season.

The Guardian - Sport

Movsesian's 11 Qf2 was unwise in that it pressed Kasparov to make an improvement in his position with the retreat 11... Nfd7.

The New York Times

What engineers are good at is out-of-the-box solutions, prototyping, and not waiting for a big system change to make an improvement.

The New York Times

"These dealers are shielding us from many complaints and buybacks with some hope that we are going to make an improvement soon".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

We made an improvement, and that's a good thing.

The New York Times - Sports

Other than his record, he's made an improvement".

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm very happy we're making an improvement, I definitely am grateful," Devvarman said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Only a quarter [of those making an improvement] have gone from inadequate to good, but then that is a really significant jump".

The Guardian

Finally, the building owner must have an engineering survey conducted before and after making an improvement to determine how much energy it will save annually.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger verbs or more specific nouns to replace "make" and "improvement" for a more impactful sentence (e.g., "enhance efficiency" instead of "make an improvement to efficiency").

Common error

Avoid using "make an improvement" without specifying the area or aspect being improved. This can make your statement sound generic and lack concrete meaning. Instead, always clarify the subject of the improvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make an improvement" functions as a verbal phrase where "make" is the verb and "an improvement" is the noun phrase acting as the object. Ludwig shows this phrase used to describe the act of enhancing or refining a specific element or situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make an improvement" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that signifies the act of enhancing or refining something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and business writing. While there are alternative ways to express similar ideas, like ""improve something"" or ""enhance a feature"", it's crucial to specify the object of improvement for clarity. Be mindful of the potential for vagueness and strive to provide concrete details when using this phrase. Remember that using more precise language can enhance the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improve something

Focuses directly on the act of enhancing something, omitting the 'make' and 'an' for brevity.

enhance a feature

Emphasizes the enhancement of a specific feature, often used in technical or product development contexts.

refine a process

Highlights the refinement of a process, suggesting a more detailed and precise approach to improvement.

boost performance

Concentrates on elevating the performance level, commonly used in business or sports contexts.

advance progress

Implies moving forward with progress, often used in project management or strategic planning.

develop a skill

Specifically refers to the development of a skill, focusing on personal or professional growth.

upgrade a system

Suggests upgrading a system, implying a move to a better or more advanced version.

advance a strategy

Focuses on advancing a strategy, indicating a tactical or strategic improvement.

build upon strengths

Emphasizes leveraging existing strengths for further development, suggesting a positive and constructive approach.

make strides in

Indicates significant progress or advancements in a particular area, suggesting notable improvements.

FAQs

How can I use "make an improvement" in a sentence?

You can use "make an improvement" when you want to express the act of enhancing something. For example, "The company implemented new strategies to "improve customer service"".

What are some alternatives to "make an improvement"?

Some alternatives include "improve something", "enhance a feature", or "refine a process". The best choice depends on the context and specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "make an improvement" or simply "improve"?

Both are correct, but "improve" is more concise. "Make an improvement" adds a bit more emphasis to the action of improving, but is often less direct. Using "improve" will generally be more efficient.

What's the difference between "make an improvement" and "see improvement"?

"Make an improvement" implies taking action to enhance something, while "see improvement" indicates observing a positive change. For example, "We need to "make an improvement" in efficiency," versus "We "see improvement" in our sales figures after the marketing campaign".