A Clear Guide to Using These Common English Phrases
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.
Use “improve in” when talking about progress within a specific subject, skill, or area of life.
Examples:
Notice that “in” is followed by a noun representing a field, ability, or domain.
Use “improve on” when you’re enhancing or refining an existing thing—like a design, idea, performance, or previous version.
Examples:
Here, “on” is followed by a specific thing that already exists and can be made better.
| Phrase | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Improve in | Progress in a skill/subject | He improved in swimming. |
| Improve on | Enhance an existing thing | They improved on the original plan. |
Which sentence is correct?
A. She improved on her piano skills.
B. She improved in her piano skills.