improve upon
B2 formal inseparable transitive
In simple words
To do something better than how it was done before — used in formal writing.
Meanings
1 B2 formal
To achieve something of higher quality or performance than an existing benchmark.
"It is hard to improve upon Shakespeare's use of the English language."
"You can't improve upon perfection."
— Common proverbial expression in English usage
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 formal
To modify or develop something so that it functions better than before.
"The new model significantly improves upon its predecessor in terms of fuel efficiency."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Functionally identical to 'improve on' but preferred in formal, written, or academic contexts. Common in phrases like 'difficult to improve upon' or 'impossible to improve upon'. More frequent in British English than in American English.
Commonly used with
design method record technique model achievement
Forms
Base
improve upon
I/you/we/they
3rd person
improves upon
he/she/it
Past simple
improved upon
yesterday
Past participle
improved upon
have + pp
-ing form
improving upon
continuous
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