Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
something needs to be improved
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The sentence you provided is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this sentence anytime when you are trying to express that something needs to be improved. For example, "This project is almost complete but something needs to be improved before it can be finalized."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Formal & Business
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
However, improvement begins with the recognition that something needs to be improved.' 19.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
Considering there's a big gap in the IT skills sector (it's predicted that there will be 750,000 jobs to fill by 2017, and last year there were only 50,000 computer science graduates), this is something that needs to be improved over and above what has already been done in schools across the UK in the last 12 months.
News & Media
Is there something that needs to be improved?
News & Media
Moreover, we attempted to complement our logfile analyses with an online survey but the low response rates, even when we offered an incentive to respond, highlights the challenge of gaining insights from a group of busy doctors, something that needs to be improved to enhance ongoing monitoring activities.
Be willing to make a change for the better and improve yourself, if you identify something that needs to be improved.
Wiki
What needs to be improved?
News & Media
That needs to be improved," she said.
News & Media
Flood protection needs to be improved.
News & Media
Intelligence needs to be improved.
News & Media
Viewing technology needs to be improved.
News & Media
Sign up now Theget the best of VICE Canada delegaled systemht to your ineeds
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "something needs to be improved", clearly identify what 'something' refers to. Vague language can reduce clarity.
Common error
While acceptable in many situations, "something needs to be improved" can sound informal in highly professional or academic settings. Consider alternatives like "enhancements are required" or "further refinement is necessary" for a more polished tone.
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "something needs to be improved" functions as a statement of necessity, indicating that a specific, though perhaps unspecified, aspect requires enhancement or refinement. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct expression.
Frequent in
News & Media
34%
Science
33%
Formal & Business
17%
Less common in
Wiki
10%
Reference
3%
Encyclopedias
3%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "something needs to be improved" is a commonly used phrase to express a requirement for enhancement. It is grammatically correct and applicable in a wide variety of contexts, as verified by Ludwig AI. While broadly acceptable, remember that the register is neutral and you might consider more formal wording for professional and academic environments. When you use the phrase, be sure to clearly indicate to what the 'something' refers. The usage analysis indicates that you will find this phrase used mostly in "News & Media", "Science" and "Formal & Business" contexts.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
enhancement is required
Replaces "something" with a direct subject and uses passive voice.
it requires refinement
Focuses on the act of refining as the necessary action.
changes are necessary
Emphasizes the necessity of change.
there's room for improvement
Emphasizes the potential for positive change rather than a strict necessity.
there is a need for further development
Highlights the idea of further development and extension.
it could be better
A more informal and understated way to suggest improvement.
this could use some work
Suggests that effort is required to make the element better.
the current state isn't optimal
Highlights the actual stage isn't the best it could be
it's not up to par
Implies a failure to meet the expectations or standards.
there's a glitch
It's a colloquial expression that indicates something is not working properly and it needs to be fixed
FAQs
How can I use "something needs to be improved" in a sentence?
You can use "something needs to be improved" to indicate a requirement for enhancement, as in "The user interface is functional, but "something needs to be improved" before the final release".
What's a more formal alternative to "something needs to be improved"?
For formal contexts, consider phrases like "enhancements are required", "further refinement is necessary", or "improvements are needed".
Is "something needs improved" grammatically correct?
No, the correct phrasing is "something needs to be improved". The passive voice construction with 'to be' is necessary for grammatical accuracy.
What can I say instead of "something needs to be improved" to sound less direct?
If you want to soften the statement, you could say "there's room for improvement" or "it could be better".
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested