noun
ADJECTIVE
▪ big , considerable , enormous , great , huge , major , marked , massive , material , radical , remarkable , significant , substantial , tremendous , vast
▪
The players have shown a marked ~ in recent weeks.
▪
We expect to see a significant ~ in the near future.
▪ marginal , minor , modest , slight , small
▪
The latest figures are a slight ~ over last year's results.
▪ notable , noticeable , obvious , visible
▪ actual , definite , distinct , genuine , real , tangible
▪ measurable
▪ dramatic , drastic , rapid , sharp
▪ gradual , incremental , steady
▪ constant , continual , continued , continuing , continuous , ongoing , progressive , sustained
▪ long-term
▪ short-term
▪ temporary
▪ further
▪ all-round ( BrE ), general , overall
▪ important , notable
▪ much-needed , necessary
▪ welcome ( esp. BrE )
▪ useful ( esp. BrE )
▪ positive
▪ recent
▪ immediate
▪ desired ( esp. AmE ), expected
▪ suggested
▪
The suggested ~s were not carried out.
▪ possible , potential
▪ moral
▪ economic , educational , environmental , health , safety , social
▪ efficiency , organizational ( esp. AmE ), performance , productivity , quality , service ( esp. BrE ), technical , technological
▪ agricultural , land
▪ ground (= stadium) ( BrE ), housing ( esp. BrE ), school
▪
The club will spend £300 000 on ground ~s.
▪ infrastructure , rail ( BrE ), road , transport ( BrE ), transportation ( AmE )
▪ home
VERB + IMPROVEMENT
▪ be , constitute , reflect , represent
▪
The country's economic record since 1945 represents an ~ on the period between the world wars.
▪ demonstrate , exhibit , indicate , show
▪
Exports have showed some ~.
▪ maintain
▪
Will the team be able to maintain its ~ of last season?
▪ need , require
▪ carry out , effect , make
▪
He made a steady ~ and was released within 10 days of admission.
▪ deliver , lead to , offer , produce , provide , result in , yield
▪
The drug produced an ~ in all but one case.
▪ achieve , bring (about) , secure ( esp. BrE )
▪
steps taken to secure ~ in students' attendance
▪ seek
▪ call for , demand
▪ recommend , suggest
▪ encourage , promote
▪ announce ( esp. BrE ), report
▪
Wholesalers reported an ~ in sales for the third quarter.
▪ note , notice , observe , see , witness
▪
With this exercise plan you will notice an enormous ~ in your stamina.
▪ experience
▪
The economy has experienced steady ~.
▪ find
▪
No ~ was found after the tenth day of treatment.
IMPROVEMENT + VERB
▪ occur , take place
▪ result from sth
▪ include sth
IMPROVEMENT + NOUN
▪ initiative , plan , programme/program , project , scheme ( BrE ), strategy
▪
We have an ambitious ~ plan for the property.
▪
The proposed road ~ scheme involves bypassing several towns.
▪ efforts , work ( esp. BrE )
▪
The ~ work to houses will create jobs.
▪ rate
PREPOSITION
▪ ~ in
▪
The new factory brought a huge ~ in working conditions.
▪ ~ on , ~ over , ~ upon
▪
These results are a distinct ~ on last year's.
▪ ~ to
▪
Several ~s were made to the design during its production run.
PHRASES
▪ an area for ~ , an area of ~
▪
The new assessment system could pinpoint areas for ~ within the company.
▪ room for ~ , scope for ~
▪
Their average grades have risen, but there is still room for ~.
▪ signs of ~
▪
The economy is showing signs of ~.