- Are you unsure whether to say “do an improvement” or “make an improvement”?
- Do you know the difference between a “slight improvement” and a “vast improvement”?
- Which preposition should you use: improvement in, to, or on?
Mastering Improvement Collocations is a vital step toward English fluency. Instead of translating word-for-word from your native language, learning these natural word pairings allows you to express progress and growth with the precision of a native speaker. This guide will help you move beyond basic vocabulary and use “improvement” in professional, academic, and daily contexts with confidence.
Essential Collocations using Improvement as a Noun
The word “improvement” is primarily used as a noun. It can be either countable (referring to a specific change) or uncountable (referring to the general process of getting better). Below, we have categorized the most frequent and modern collocations used in 2024.
Adjectives Describing Magnitude and Speed
In both business and academic English, we often need to qualify how much something has improved.
- Significant improvement: A large and noticeable change.
Example: There has been a significant improvement in your test scores this semester. - Slight improvement: A small, minor change.
Example: We noticed a slight improvement in the weather this afternoon. - Vast/Dramatice improvement: An extremely large or impressive change.
Example: The new software led to a dramatic improvement in processing speed. - Steady improvement: Consistent progress over a period of time.
Example: The athlete showed steady improvement throughout the training season. - Much-needed improvement: A change that was necessary because the previous state was poor.
Example: The renovations provided a much-needed improvement to the old hospital.
Common Verbs Used with Improvement
Choosing the right verb is the most common challenge for ESL learners. Avoid using “do” with improvement.
- Make an improvement: To cause a change for the better.
Example: We need to make some improvements to the website’s user interface. - Show improvement: To demonstrate progress that can be seen by others.
Example: Your English speaking skills show great improvement. - See/Notice an improvement: To observe progress.
Example: Doctors saw a marked improvement in the patient’s condition after the surgery. - Lead to an improvement: When one action results in better quality.
Example: Regular exercise will lead to an improvement in your overall health. - Room for improvement: A common idiomatic phrase meaning something is not yet perfect.
Example: Your report was good, but there is still room for improvement in the data analysis section.
Using Prepositions Correcty
The meaning of “improvement” changes slightly depending on the preposition that follows it.
- Improvement in: Used for a specific area or skill.
Example: I’ve seen a huge improvement in your confidence. - Improvement to: Used when talking about physical objects or systems.
Example: They are planning improvements to the city’s public transport system. - Improvement on: Used when comparing a new version to a previous one.
Example: This year’s sales figures are a big improvement on last year’s.
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Make an improvement | Verb + Noun | To perform an action that results in betterment. |
| Significant improvement | Adjective + Noun | A large, important, or noticeable change. |
| Room for improvement | Noun Phrase | Possibility or need for further progress. |
| Show improvement | Verb + Noun | To display evidence of getting better. |
| Marked improvement | Adjective + Noun | A very clear and obvious change. |
| Improvement in | Noun + Preposition | Progress within a specific field or quality. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Do an improvement | Make an improvement |
| Big improvement of my English | Significant improvement in my English |
| The improvement at the car | The improvement to the car |
| A grow of improvement | A steady improvement |
Contextual Story
“Subject: Quarterly Performance Review Feedback
Dear Mark, I am writing to summarize our meeting. Over the last three months, you have shown steady improvement in your project management skills. We particularly noticed a significant improvement in how you handle client communications. While your technical reports are solid, there is still some room for improvement regarding your delivery speed. Overall, these changes represent a marked improvement on your performance from last year. We look forward to seeing further improvements in your leadership role.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Improvement Collocations
Is it “improvement in” or “improvement of”?
In modern English, “improvement in” is much more common when talking about skills or conditions (e.g., improvement in health, improvement in English). “Improvement of” is occasionally used for objects, but “improvement to” is generally preferred for physical things like buildings or software.
Can I say “big improvement”?
Yes, “big improvement” is perfectly fine for casual conversation. However, for professional writing or exams like IELTS and TOEFL, it is better to use “significant,” “substantial,” or “considerable improvement” to sound more sophisticated.
What is the difference between “improvement” and “progress”?
While they are similar, “improvement” often suggests that something was bad or mediocre and became better. “Progress” refers more to the movement toward a goal or the completion of a process. You “make an improvement” and you “make progress.”
Is “improvement” countable or uncountable?
It is both! When referring to the general concept, it is uncountable: “There is always room for improvement.” When referring to specific changes, it is countable: “We made several improvements to the kitchen.”
What does “a marked improvement” mean?
“Marked” in this context means “obvious” or “clearly noticeable.” If a teacher says you have shown a marked improvement, they mean your progress is very easy to see and deserves recognition.
Is 'room for improvement' also considered a collocation? I hear it a lot in business, and I'm wondering if it fits the same category.
Yes, Ricardo, 'room for improvement' is indeed a very common and useful collocation, often used in business and evaluative contexts! It means that something is not yet perfect and has the potential to get better. It's a slightly idiomatic usage, but definitely a natural word pairing with 'improvement.' Thanks for bringing it up!
What about 'dramatic improvement'? Is that similar to 'significant' or 'vast', but perhaps with a sense of suddenness?
You're spot on, Minh! 'Dramatic improvement' certainly implies a very noticeable and often sudden or striking change, making it more emphatic than 'significant' or 'vast.' It often suggests an improvement that is remarkable or impactful enough to capture attention, like 'a dramatic improvement in sales figures after the new campaign.' Excellent observation!
I'm a teacher and I often look for clear, concise explanations for my students. This article is perfectly structured for that. Thank you!
Any other common mistakes with 'improvement' besides 'do/make'? I want to avoid all the pitfalls!
Great question, Omar! Besides 'do/make,' another common error is misusing prepositions (e.g., 'improvement *of* quality' instead of 'improvement *in* quality'). Also, sometimes learners forget the article when 'improvement' is countable, e.g., 'There was a slight improvement' not 'There was slight improvement.' Being mindful of these will definitely help!
This article is a huge improvement in my understanding of English collocations! I finally feel like I can use 'improvement' correctly.
That's fantastic to hear, Nia! We're delighted to know our article has made such a significant impact on your learning journey. Keep that positive momentum going!
When 'improvement' is uncountable, it means the general process, right? But what about 'improvements' in plural? Is that always countable then?
You've got it exactly, Ivan! When 'improvement' is used in the plural form ('improvements'), it is always countable and refers to specific, distinct changes or enhancements. For example: 'We've made several improvements to the website' (referring to individual changes) versus 'There's been general improvement in the economy' (the overall process).
This article really helped me grasp the nuances. I've always struggled with prepositions, especially 'in' vs. 'on' for improvement. Clear explanations!
I often hear 'vast improvement'. Is that similar to 'significant' or 'huge'? What contexts would it be best suited for?
Samir, 'vast improvement' does indeed mean a very large or extensive improvement, similar to 'huge' but with a slightly more formal or emphatic tone than 'huge.' It's often used when the change is not just big, but covers a wide scope or degree, such as 'a vast improvement in living conditions' or 'the company saw a vast improvement in its market share.' It fits well in both formal and semi-formal contexts.
This blog post is a fantastic resource for my students. I'll definitely share it in my English class tomorrow. It clearly explains what many struggle with!
That's wonderful to hear, Maria! We're so pleased that Translateen.com can be a valuable resource for your students. We aim to provide clear, actionable insights to help learners worldwide. Thank you for sharing!
Could you explain the usage of 'improvement on' more? I'm trying to think of examples beyond 'improvement on the previous model'.
Certainly, Kenji! 'Improvement on' is often used when something is better than a previous version or attempt. Besides 'improvement on the previous model,' you could say: 'The new design is a definite improvement on the old one,' or 'Her second performance was an improvement on her first attempt.' It implies comparing to an earlier state or benchmark.