showed improvement

USAGE SUMMARY

'showed improvement' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to tangible growth, advancement, or development, either in the present or past. For example: "John's most recent report card showed improvement in all areas of study."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

-- showed improvement.

The New York Times

Home building showed improvement.

The New York Times

Other clothing purveyors showed improvement.

The New York Times

Last week, in San Antonio, McIlroy showed improvement, finishing second.

The New Yorker

The Bills showed improvement on both sides of the ball.

The New York Times

Playing "Bring On da Band," the group showed improvement.

The New York Times - Arts

And it showed improvement over his first one.

The New York Times

Other parts of Jefferies's businesses showed improvement as well.

The New York Times

Houston has some athleticism and showed improvement as a rookie.

The New York Times

Virtually all of Apollo's operations showed improvement during the quarter.

The New York Times

Some divisions like investment banking and investment management showed improvement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "showed improvement", specify the area or aspect that improved for clarity. For example, "The student showed improvement in mathematics" is more informative than "The student showed improvement".

Common error

Avoid using "showed improvement" without providing context. Always clarify what aspect or area saw the improvement to ensure the statement is meaningful and not misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "showed improvement" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating that a subject has progressed or advanced in a positive direction. It is used to describe a change from a previous state to a better one, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "showed improvement" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that indicates progress or positive change. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for a wide range of contexts, from formal scientific reports to everyday news articles. Usage patterns reveal its frequent occurrence in Science and News & Media, highlighting its utility in describing advancements and developments. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, providing specific context regarding the area of improvement is crucial for clarity. Alternatives like "demonstrated progress" or "improved noticeably" can be used to add nuance, but the core message remains consistent: something has gotten better.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improved noticeably

Highlights that the improvement was easily observed.

demonstrated progress

Emphasizes the act of making progress visible or evident.

progressed positively

Directly states that progress was made in a favorable manner.

exhibited advancement

Highlights the forward movement or progress achieved.

advanced notably

Emphasizes the significant degree of advancement.

registered gains

Focuses on measurable increases or positive results.

developed favorably

Focuses on the positive direction of development.

made headway

Suggests progress, often against obstacles.

picked up

Suggests an increase or acceleration in performance or condition.

grew better

Emphasizes a gradual process of improvement.

FAQs

How to use "showed improvement" in a sentence?

Use "showed improvement" to indicate that something has gotten better. For example, "Her grades "showed improvement" this semester."

What can I say instead of "showed improvement"?

You can use alternatives like "demonstrated progress", "exhibited advancement", or "improved noticeably" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "showed improvement" or "showed improvements"?

"Showed improvement" is generally correct when referring to a general betterment. "Showed improvements" can be used when referring to specific, countable instances of betterment, but is less common.

What's the difference between "showed improvement" and "maintained improvement"?

"Showed improvement" indicates an initial positive change, while "maintained improvement" implies that the positive change has been sustained over time.