things are getting better

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "things are getting better" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this sentence when referring to a situation that is gradually improving. For example, "I'm glad to see things are getting better. In the past few weeks, I've noticed a significant decrease in daily stress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A Things are getting better.

The New York Times

It shows things are getting better.

Independent

I'm delighted things are getting better.

The New York Times

Maybe things are getting better.

The New York Times - Sports

"But things are getting better".

The New York Times

"Things are getting better every time".

The New York Times

Overall, things are getting better.

The Guardian

"Things are getting better every year.

The New York Times - Sports

And just when things are getting better.

The New York Times - Arts

I hope things are getting better".

The Guardian - Books

And things are getting better in business.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "things are getting better" to express a general improvement in a situation, but be specific about what "things" refers to for clarity. For example, "The economy is recovering, things are getting better for small businesses."

Common error

Avoid using "things are getting better" as a standalone statement without providing context or evidence. It can sound empty or unconvincing without supporting details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things are getting better" functions as an affirmative statement expressing improvement or positive change in a general situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "things are getting better" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express general improvement or positive change. According to Ludwig, its frequency is high, particularly in News & Media, and serves to convey optimism and reassurance. When using this phrase, it's best practice to provide specific context to avoid ambiguity. Be mindful of overuse without evidence to maintain credibility. While alternatives like "the situation is improving" or "progress is being made" exist, "things are getting better" remains a versatile and widely understood expression of hope and advancement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the situation is improving

Focuses specifically on the situation rather than a general "things".

progress is being made

Highlights the act of making progress, emphasizing the ongoing process of improvement.

the outlook is brightening

Uses a metaphorical description focusing on optimism and a more positive future.

conditions are on the upswing

Emphasizes a turn towards more favorable conditions, suggesting a reversal of negative trends.

we're turning a corner

Implies a significant change in direction towards a better state.

the tide is turning

Uses a metaphor suggesting that negative forces are losing power and positive change is underway.

there's light at the end of the tunnel

Expresses hope and the belief that a difficult period is nearing its end.

strides are being made

Highlights that significant advancements are occurring.

the trend is upward

Focuses on the direction of change, indicating a positive and increasing trend.

it's looking up

A more informal way of saying that the situation is improving or becoming more promising.

FAQs

How can I use "things are getting better" in a sentence?

You can use "things are getting better" to express a general improvement in a situation. For example, "After the new policies were implemented, "things are getting better" in the workplace."

What's a more formal way to say "things are getting better"?

More formal alternatives include "the situation is improving", "progress is being made", or "conditions are on the upswing". For example, "Following the intervention, "progress is being made" towards a resolution."

What can I say instead of "things are getting better" if I want to be more specific?

Instead of the general phrase, you could specify which aspect is improving. For example, instead of ""things are getting better"", say "the economy is recovering" or "test scores are increasing".

Is it always appropriate to say "things are getting better"?

The phrase is most appropriate when there's tangible evidence of improvement. Avoid using it optimistically if the situation is still uncertain or deteriorating. Consider alternatives like "we're hoping "the situation is improving"" if improvement isn't yet confirmed.