requires improvement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "requires improvement" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is often used to indicate that something needs to be improved or is not currently satisfactory. For example, a teacher might write on a student's report card, "Your writing skills have improved, but your spelling still requires improvement." Similarly, a manager might write in a performance review, "While you have met most of your targets this year, your communication skills require improvement in order to excel in your role."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have worked tirelessly to improve our school from the depths of requires improvement.

The Guardian

Adequate AT is associated with improved patient outcome but compliance with guideline recommendation requires improvement.

Critical Care

The tackling requires improvement.

The New York Times - Sports

Six are rated good and one is "requires improvement".

The Guardian

Three critical Ofsted reports have said it "requires improvement".

The Guardian

The quality of leadership and management requires improvement".

The Guardian

(The CQC's current rating for Southern Health is "requires improvement").

The Guardian

Five others were given a "requires improvement" rating.

The Guardian

Social care providers will now be rated as outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate.

The Guardian

Earlier this year, Ofsted inspectors gave KSA a "requires improvement" grade in teaching and management.

The Guardian

Secondaries: The Lakes School, alas, "requires improvement", but is "taking effective action".

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "requires improvement", be specific about what aspects need enhancement to provide clear direction for development.

Common error

Avoid using "requires improvement" without specifying how or why. Without concrete examples, the feedback becomes ineffective and demotivating.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "requires improvement" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a noun, indicating that something is in a state needing further development or enhancement. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

28%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "requires improvement" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that something needs further development. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase appears across diverse contexts, notably in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. It serves the purpose of constructive feedback, highlighting areas needing attention for enhancement. While generally neutral, the delivery and specificity of feedback are crucial to avoid negative connotations. Alternatives such as "needs to be improved" or "room for improvement" offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone. When using this phrase, remember to provide clear and specific guidance for effective development. The high usage and consistent application across reputable sources contribute to its recognition as a valid and useful phrase in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needs to be improved

Focuses on the action required rather than a state of needing improvement.

room for improvement

Highlights the potential for future development.

is lacking

Directly states that something is missing or insufficient.

could be better

A more informal and general way of saying something isn't perfect.

is imperfect

Simply states the presence of flaws.

falls short of expectations

Emphasizes the gap between the current state and what was anticipated.

is not up to par

Indicates a failure to meet a certain standard or expectation.

calls for enhancement

Emphasizes the necessity of enhancement, in a formal way.

leaves something to be desired

A polite way of pointing out a deficiency.

demands further attention

Highlights the necessity for more focus and effort.

FAQs

How to use "requires improvement" in a sentence?

Use "requires improvement" to indicate something needs to be better, for example, "The quality of the project design "quality of the project design" requires improvement.".

What can I say instead of "requires improvement"?

You can use alternatives like "needs to be improved", "room for improvement", or "could be better" depending on the context.

Is it rude to say "requires improvement"?

It can be perceived negatively if not delivered constructively. Always provide specific feedback and suggestions for improvement to soften the impact.

Which is correct, "requires improvement" or "need improvement"?

"Requires improvement" is grammatically correct. "Need improvement" is not grammatically correct and is most of the times used in headlines.