needs to improve

USAGE SUMMARY

"needs to improve" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something requires improvement. For example, "This report needs to improve in order to be accepted by the board."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He really needs to improve.

Independent

NASA certainly needs to improve its efficiency.

The New York Times

Yes, I mean, everything needs to improve".

The New York Times - Sports

He needs to improve their quality too.

The Economist

"It's something that needs to improve.

The New York Times - Sports

· The house building industry needs to improve.

The Guardian - Money

"Everything needs to improve," he insisted.

The Guardian - Sport

What do you feel needs to improve?

The Guardian

He needs to improve his behaviour.

The Guardian - Sport

We think it needs to improve this.

The Guardian - Money

Mental health provision also needs to improve.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needs to improve", be specific about what aspects require enhancement to provide clear direction for improvement.

Common error

Avoid using "needs to improve" without specifying the area of improvement, as this can be unhelpful and unclear. Provide actionable feedback by identifying concrete steps for enhancement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to improve" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a requirement for something to become better or more developed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It signifies that a particular aspect or entity is not yet at the desired level and requires enhancement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "needs to improve" is a versatile and widely used expression for indicating the necessity of enhancement. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts. While frequently found in news and media, its neutral register makes it suitable for formal and informal communication. Remember to specify the area needing improvement for clarity. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "needs to improve" to provide constructive feedback and drive positive change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requires development

Highlights the necessity of growth and progress in a specific area.

should be enhanced

Suggests a more formal and deliberate process of making something better.

is in need of refinement

Highlights the urgent requirement for improvement and precision.

must be refined

Implies a need for precision and detail-oriented improvement.

would benefit from enhancement

Emphasizes the positive impact that improvement would bring.

could be better

Offers a more casual and less critical way of suggesting improvement.

has room for growth

Focuses on the potential for further development and expansion.

can be polished

Suggests that something is already good but can be made even better with some finishing touches.

demands further attention

Implies that something is very important and improvement requires focus.

warrants further development

Highlights that the subject justifies dedicated resources and attention for its continued evolution.

FAQs

How can I use "needs to improve" in a sentence?

You can use "needs to improve" to point out areas that require further development or enhancement. For example, "The marketing strategy "needs to improve" to reach a wider audience."

What are some alternatives to saying "needs to improve"?

Alternatives include phrases like "should be enhanced", "requires development", or "could be better", depending on the context and desired tone.

Is it better to say "needs improvement" or "needs to improve"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "needs to improve" is a verb phrase indicating an action is necessary. "Needs improvement" is a noun phrase, often used as a label or summary. The choice depends on the specific sentence structure and intended meaning.

How do I give constructive feedback using "needs to improve"?

To provide constructive feedback, follow "needs to improve" with specific areas or actions. For instance, instead of saying "The presentation "needs to improve"", say "The presentation "needs to improve" its clarity and visual aids."