Improve On vs Improve In

Introduction

Many English learners wonder about the difference between "improve on" and "improve in". While both relate to getting better, they are used in different contexts and cannot be used interchangeably.

“Improve In” – Getting Better at a Skill or Area

Use “improve in” when talking about progress within a specific subject, skill, or area of life.

Notice that “in” is followed by a noun representing a field, ability, or domain.

“Improve On” – Making Something Better Than Before

Use “improve on” when you’re enhancing or refining an existing thing—like a design, idea, performance, or previous version.

Here, “on” is followed by a specific thing that already exists and can be made better.

Quick Comparison