what an improvement

USAGE SUMMARY

"what an improvement" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something has been changed for the better. For example, "The paint job looks great - what an improvement!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

What an improvement that is.

The Guardian - Sport

What an improvement that would be — using booster money to legitimately pay players instead of handing them cash under the table.

The New York Times - Magazine

I have to say, Pharoah did seem a little nervous to begin, but, boy what an improvement over Armisen's recent offerings.

Huffington Post

Unfortunately, most clinicians will have difficulty understanding what an improvement of 4.4 vs 1.8 or 3.4 vs 1.4 means to their patients.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

After dismissing the threat or promise of genetically tinkering with our progeny — we do not know enough yet to know what is an improvement and what is not — the panelists turned combative about free will and morality.

The New York Times - Science

"And the problem with the Bush plan is that it does not define what constitutes an improvement".

The New York Times

This suggests a more stringent judgment on what constitutes an improvement from health policymakers.

Health Research Policy and Systems

"You can only imagine what a tremendous improvement that will be".

The New York Times

But like all the estimates of what a home improvement yields, it is only a guess.

The New York Times

But what a marked improvement in the medical help Dad was to receive.

The Guardian - Opinion

I realized I'd been focusing so much on how to survive its installation that I hadn't understood what a vast improvement the new elevator would be.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what an improvement" to express genuine surprise and appreciation for a positive change. It adds emphasis to your observation and can make your communication more engaging.

Common error

While "what an improvement" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more objective phrases like "significant progress" or "notable enhancement" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what an improvement" primarily functions as an exclamatory expression. It conveys strong approval or positive surprise regarding a change or progress. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what an improvement" is a grammatically sound and frequently used exclamatory phrase for expressing approval of a positive change. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. While predominantly found in news and media, it is suitable for a range of communication styles, though less formal than academic discourse. When opting for a more professional tone, consider alternatives such as "significant progress" or "notable enhancement".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant step forward

Highlights the magnitude of the progress.

a marked advancement

Emphasizes the noticeable progression made.

a positive development

Focuses on the beneficial nature of the change.

a welcome change

Indicates that the improvement is appreciated.

a leap in quality

Stresses the increased standard achieved.

a considerable upgrade

Highlights the modernization or enhancement aspect.

vastly superior now

Directly compares the current state to a previous, less desirable one.

much better than before

Simple comparison indicating enhanced condition.

noticeable progress

Focuses on how easy it is to see the progress that has been made.

an upward trend

Highlights that the improvement is a trend.

FAQs

How can I use "what an improvement" in a sentence?

Use "what an improvement" to express surprise and approval of a positive change, as in, "The new software is much faster; what an improvement!"

What's a more formal way to say "what an improvement"?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives such as /s/significant+progress , /s/notable+enhancement, or /s/considerable+advancement for a more professional tone.

Is it appropriate to use "what an improvement" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "what an improvement" might sound too informal for academic writing. Opt for more objective and precise language like /s/a+marked+advancement or /s/a+significant+step+forward.

What's the difference between "what an improvement" and "an improvement"?

"What an improvement" is an exclamatory phrase expressing surprise and approval, while /s/an+improvement is a simple noun phrase referring to a positive change without the emotional emphasis.