improve on + previous result
Making something better than before
Use improve on when comparing with an earlier version, score, or performance.
The team hopes to improve on last season's record.
Improve on vs improve in
Use improve on to mean make something better than before. Use improve in for areas, subjects, or skills.
Quick answer
Which preposition is correct with improve?
Improve on means do better than an earlier version or result. Improve in refers to progress within a subject, skill, or area.
The new model improves on last year's design.
She has improved in mathematics.
She has improved in mathematics.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
improve in + area
Progress within a field or skill
Use improve in for subjects, abilities, and areas of performance.
He wants to improve in spoken English.
improve by + amount
Showing the size of change
Use by with numbers or percentages.
Sales improved by 12 percent.
improve with + practice/time
Explaining the condition for improvement
With introduces a factor connected to improvement.
Your writing will improve with regular feedback.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
improve on
The sequel improves on the original film.
make something better than an earlier version
improve in
She improved in chemistry this term.
become better within a subject or area
improve by
Productivity improved by 5 percent.
show the amount of improvement
improve with
The sauce improves with age.
become better under certain conditions
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using improve on for school subjects
Use improve in for areas of study or skills.
✕ She improved on maths. ✓ She improved in maths.Forgetting the object after improve on
Improve on usually compares with a previous thing or result.
✕ The update improved on. ✓ The update improved on the earlier version.Confusing by and in
By gives the amount of change, while in names the area.
✕ Sales improved in 10 percent. ✓ Sales improved by 10 percent.Using improve in for comparisons
Use on when comparing two versions or performances.
✕ This camera improves in the old model. ✓ This camera improves on the old model.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The athlete wants to improve ___ her previous time.
2. He has improved ___ public speaking.
3. Profits improved ___ 8 percent last year.
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Frequently asked questions
Can improve on and improve in both be correct?
Yes, but they express different ideas. Improve on compares with a previous result, while improve in refers to an area or skill.
Do we say improve at or improve in?
Both exist. Improve at is common with activities such as improve at chess, while improve in often refers to broader areas or subjects.
Is improve on formal?
No. Improve on is standard in both formal and informal English.
Related preposition guides
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