things are improving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things are improving" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a situation or condition is getting better over time. Example: "After several months of hard work, I can confidently say that things are improving in our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Things are improving, though.

The Guardian - Travel

Now things are improving.

The Economist

Yet things are improving.

The Economist

Structurally, things are improving.

The Guardian - Sport

But things are improving.

The New York Times

But things are improving fast.

Independent

Recently, things are improving.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Things are improving tremendously," he said.

The Guardian

American officials say things are improving.

The New York Times

"Things are improving," Mr. Miller said.

The New York Times

Things are improving, but slowly.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, consider adding a qualifier to indicate the rate or extent of improvement, such as "things are improving slowly" or "things are improving significantly".

Common error

Avoid using "things are improving" without context. Be specific about what aspects are improving to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "things are improving", state "customer satisfaction is improving".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things are improving" functions as a statement expressing a positive change or progression. It typically serves as an observation or assessment that a particular situation or set of circumstances is getting better. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a common and grammatically correct expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "things are improving" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express a general sense of positive change or progress. Ludwig AI analysis shows that its usage spans various contexts, particularly in news, business, and general communication. While versatile, consider specifying what "things" refers to for enhanced clarity. Alternatives like "the situation is improving" or "progress is being made" can be used in more formal settings. The frequency and diverse sources indicate that this phrase is a reliable and widely understood way to communicate positive developments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conditions are getting better

Replaces "things" with "conditions" and uses the continuous form of "get" to emphasize ongoing improvement.

the situation is improving

Substitutes "things" with "the situation", focusing on a specific set of circumstances.

progress is being made

Emphasizes the action of making progress rather than the state of improvement.

positive changes are occurring

Highlights the occurrence of positive changes as the reason of the improvement.

the outlook is brightening

Uses a more metaphorical expression to suggest a more optimistic future.

the tide is turning

Implies a shift in momentum towards a more favorable outcome.

advancements are being seen

Highlights specific advancements as indicators of overall improvement.

strides are being taken

Emphasizes the effort and actions contributing to the improvement.

gains are being realized

Focuses on the tangible benefits and positive outcomes resulting from the improvement.

the trend is upward

Highlights the direction in which things are evolving is positive.

FAQs

How can I use "things are improving" in a sentence?

You can use "things are improving" to generally indicate that a situation is getting better. For example, "After a period of decline, things are improving in the local economy."

What's a more formal alternative to "things are improving"?

In more formal contexts, you might prefer phrases like "the situation is improving" or "progress is being made".

Is it always necessary to specify what "things" refers to when saying "things are improving"?

While it's not always necessary, specifying what "things" refers to provides clarity. If the context is clear, a general statement like "things are improving" is acceptable; otherwise, be specific (e.g., "sales figures are improving").

What can I say if things are only improving slightly?

You can qualify the statement by saying "things are improving slowly" or "things are improving gradually".