Writing Tip

Avoid Using the Word “Improve” When You Know the Details

Difficulty Level: Basic

Recommendation: Avoid using the word “improve” when more specific verbs are available.

Sometimes, we use the word improve implicitly and vaguely when we know the specific action (or actions) that it implies. Consider:

The controls will improve the energy consumption.

The way in which it will improve it is by reducing it, so:

The controls will reduce the energy consumption.

The difference is between implied specificity in the first case and explicit specificity in the second case. Or, you can frame the difference as general versus specific. When you use the word improve, ask yourself, “How does X improve Y?”

Here are some more examples:

The new growing process will improve crystal formation.

The explicit version is:

The new growing process will decrease the duration of crystal formation and increase the size of crystals.

Here’s another example:

The student improved upon Aeschylus.

Here’s the explicit version:

The student's translation of Aeschylus was more enjoyable than the original.

You can use “improve” by moving from the general to the specific, employing this pattern: X improves Y by doing Z. Here’s an example:

The technician improved the test procedure by using a more-precise data-acquisition system.