matters to improve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "matters to improve" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an incomplete thought and lacks clarity in its intended meaning. Example: "We need to identify the matters to improve in our current strategy."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A10 Taiwan called on the mainland to set aside fruitless debates over sovereignty and to resume talks on economic ties and other practical matters to improve relations.

The New York Times

Unbowed by China's latest threat of force, Taiwan called on the mainland today to set aside fruitless debates over sovereignty and resume talks over economic ties and other practical matters to improve relations.

The New York Times

From a London Olympics studded with failure (their lightest medal haul in 20 years) to last summer's Lions tour, it has been a lean old time, and as far as the cricket was concerned, no one was expecting matters to improve for quite a while.

The Guardian - Sport

But the CML said that sentiment was still positive and it expected matters to improve over the coming months.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Your best option is to add a good dose of organic matter to improve the soil.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But there are plenty of things that will cope, especially if you add organic matter to improve moisture and drainage.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The most common utilization practice is to apply manure to cropland, pasture, and hayland as a source of nutrients for plant growth and organic matter to improve soil tilth and water holding capacity.

Reference Module in Food Science

Additionally, we acquired one IR-EPI (TR = 2000 ms, TE = 26 ms) volume (with excellent contrast between gray and white matter) to improve coregistration between EPIs and the IR-SPGR.

Plosone

This evidence will guide future revisions of the PULSE Vision & Change Rubrics, to ensure that they reflect the criteria that "really matter" to improve student learning.

CBE Life Sciences Education

When using any kind of organic matter to improve soil, try to limit the inclusion of seed pods for weed types in the soil additions.

WikiHow

For heavy, clay-rich soils with bad drainage, try adding humus or organic matter to improve the permeability of the soil.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing areas needing improvement, opt for grammatically standard phrases like "areas for improvement" or "aspects to enhance" for clearer communication.

Common error

Avoid directly translating the purpose construction into a phrase like "matters to improve". This construction is uncommon and may sound awkward to native English speakers. Instead, use noun phrases like "areas for improvement" or "issues to address".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "matters to improve" functions as a noun phrase intended to identify subjects or areas needing enhancement. However, its grammatical awkwardness makes it less effective and less preferred than alternatives. As Ludwig AI underlines, the phrase is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "matters to improve" aims to identify areas needing enhancement, it is grammatically incorrect and not recommended for standard English usage. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. More appropriate and widely accepted alternatives include "areas for improvement", "aspects to enhance", or "issues to address". These options provide greater clarity and professionalism. Although sources like The New York Times and The Guardian contain instances of the phrase, adhering to established grammatical conventions is crucial for effective communication. Opt for grammatically sound alternatives to ensure your writing is clear and professional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

areas for improvement

Focuses on specific domains where enhancement is needed; more common and grammatically sound.

aspects to enhance

Highlights particular features or qualities requiring improvement; similar in meaning but more formal.

issues to address

Emphasizes problems or challenges that need to be resolved for improvement; implies a more critical situation.

points to refine

Suggests a process of making small changes to improve something; suitable for detailed improvements.

opportunities for optimization

Implies maximizing efficiency or effectiveness; suitable for business or technical contexts.

room for development

Indicates potential for growth or progress; more general and less specific than "matters to improve".

scope for advancement

Highlights opportunities for progress or moving forward; suitable for career or strategic planning.

elements to perfect

Focuses on achieving flawlessness or excellence; implies a high standard of quality.

components to upgrade

Suggests replacing or enhancing parts of a system or process; suitable for technical or mechanical improvements.

things to ameliorate

Highlights the reduction or elimination of negative aspects; more formal and less commonly used.

FAQs

What are some common alternatives to "matters to improve"?

Instead of "matters to improve", consider using phrases like "areas for improvement", "aspects to enhance", or "issues to address". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is the phrase "matters to improve" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "matters to improve" is not grammatically correct in standard written English. It's better to use more common and grammatically sound alternatives.

How can I use "areas for improvement" in a sentence?

You can use "areas for improvement" in a sentence like this: "Our team has identified several areas for improvement in the current project phase."

What is the difference between "matters to improve" and "issues to address"?

While both phrases relate to making something better, "issues to address" typically implies resolving specific problems, while "matters to improve" (though grammatically incorrect) would generally refer to enhancing existing aspects or areas. It's better to use "areas for improvement" instead.