Increase vs. Improve – Which is Correct?

While both increase and improve denote positive change, they are not interchangeable. Increase refers to a growth in quantity, size, or degree. Improve, on the other hand, means to make or become better in quality, condition, or effectiveness. Choose increase for measurable growth and improve for qualitative enhancement.

Increase or Improve – Which is Correct?

Both “increase” and “improve” are correct and valid words in American English, but they describe different types of positive change. The core distinction lies in whether the change is quantitative or qualitative.

Increase primarily describes a change in quantity, size, number, or intensity. It suggests making something larger or greater in amount. For example, you can increase your salary, the number of sales, or the volume of a sound.

Improve, conversely, describes a change in quality, condition, or performance. It means to make something better or to become better. For instance, you can improve your skills, a product’s design, or a system’s efficiency.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To remember the difference, use the “Measurement Test.”

• If you can ask “How much more?” or “How many more?” and get a numerical answer, you likely need increase. (e.g., “How much more money?” -> “Increase salary.”)
• If you can ask “How much better?” or “In what way is it better?” and get a qualitative answer, you likely need improve. (e.g., “How much better is the design?” -> “Improve design.”)

Think of it this way: Increase adds more, while improve makes it better.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Increase	Verb, Noun	To make or become greater in size, amount, intensity, or degree.	The company plans to increase its workforce by 10%.
Improve	Verb, Noun	To make or become better in quality, condition, or performance.	We need to improve customer satisfaction.

How to Use Increase

The word “increase” is commonly used as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it signifies growth or augmentation in quantity, size, degree, or intensity. It can be transitive (something increases something else) or intransitive (something increases on its own). As a noun, it refers to the act or result of increasing. Its tone is generally neutral and factual, often used in business, science, and economics contexts.

Example 1: The government announced plans to increase funding for public education next year.

Example 2: There has been a steady increase in online shopping since the beginning of the year.

Example 3: We need to increase our efforts if we want to meet the June 2, 2026 deadline.

What are the different forms of Increase?

“Increase” is a regular verb. Its forms are straightforward:

• Base Form (Present Simple): increase (e.g., They increase production.)
• Third Person Singular (Present Simple): increases (e.g., She increases her speed.)
• Past Simple: increased (e.g., The price increased yesterday.)
• Past Participle: increased (e.g., Profits have increased significantly.)
• Present Participle (Gerund): increasing (e.g., The cost of living is increasing.)

As a noun, “increase” can be singular or plural:

• Singular: an increase (e.g., An increase in demand.)
• Plural: increases (e.g., Several increases in salary.)

Etymology of the word Increase

The word “increase” comes from the Old French encreiss-, a stem of encreistre, meaning “to grow, grow up, increase.” This, in turn, derived from the Latin increscere, meaning “to grow into, grow upon, increase,” which is a combination of in- (“into, upon”) and crescere (“to grow”). Its roots highlight its core meaning of growth and expansion.

How to Use Improve

The word “improve” functions as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it means to make or become better in quality, condition, or effectiveness. It can be transitive (something improves something else) or intransitive (something improves on its own). As a noun, “improve” is less common but can refer to an act of improving or the state of being improved. Its tone is positive and often associated with progress, development, and refinement.

Example 1: The new software aims to improve user experience and efficiency.

Example 2: My health began to improve significantly after I started a new exercise regimen.

Example 3: We need to continually improve our processes to stay competitive in the market.

What are the different forms of Improve?

“Improve” is a regular verb. Its forms are:

• Base Form (Present Simple): improve (e.g., They improve the design.)
• Third Person Singular (Present Simple): improves (e.g., He improves his technique.)
• Past Simple: improved (e.g., The team improved their performance.)
• Past Participle: improved (e.g., Customer service has improved.)
• Present Participle (Gerund): improving (e.g., She is always improving her skills.)

As a noun, “improve” is rarely used on its own; “improvement” is the more common noun form:

• Noun: improvement (e.g., There has been a noticeable improvement.)
• Plural Noun: improvements (e.g., We made several improvements to the product.)

Etymology of the word Improve

The word “improve” comes from the Old French emprower, meaning “to turn to profit, make a profit, benefit,” which is related to prou, meaning “profit, advantage.” This ultimately derives from the Latin prodesse, “to be useful, do good, benefit.” The original sense of “making a profit” evolved into the broader meaning of “making better” or “advancing to a better state” by the 17th century.

Related Concepts

Understanding broader linguistic and conceptual categories can help clarify the distinct uses of “increase” and “improve.”

• Quantitative vs. Qualitative Change: This fundamental distinction is key. “Increase” deals with quantitative changes (how much, how many), focusing on measurable amounts. “Improve” deals with qualitative changes (how good, how effective), focusing on inherent characteristics or standards.
• Verbs of Change: Both “increase” and “improve” belong to a class of verbs that describe transformation. Other verbs in this category might include reduce, decrease, enhance, develop, deteriorate, each with its own specific nuance regarding the direction and nature of the change.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years increase.” — Steve Jobs (referring to the quantity of years)
• “A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.” This implies that the mind has improved, not just increased in size.
• “The government is committed to improving public services and ensuring a better quality of life for all citizens,” stated a press release on June 1, 2026.
• “We anticipate a significant increase in tourist arrivals during the summer months due to recent marketing campaigns.” — Travel Industry Report, May 2026.
• “To truly improve your writing, you must practice consistently and seek constructive feedback.” — A common piece of advice for aspiring authors.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The company aims to ________ its market share by expanding into new regions.
2. Regular maintenance will ________ the lifespan and performance of the machinery.
3. We need to ________ the number of qualified candidates applying for the position.
4. The new policy is designed to ________ efficiency across all departments.
5. After extensive training, her presentation skills have noticeably ________.

Answer Key

1. increase
2. improve
3. increase
4. improve
5. improved

Increase Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Augment	Make (something) greater by adding to it; increase.
Expand	Become or make larger or more extensive.
Grow	Increase in size, amount, or intensity.
Multiply	Increase greatly in number or quantity.
Escalate	Increase rapidly in intensity or magnitude.

Improve Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Enhance	Further improve the quality, value, or extent of.
Better	Make (something) better; improve upon.
Refine	Remove impurities or unwanted elements from (a substance), typically as part of an industrial process; improve something by making small changes, in particular make it more subtle and accurate.
Ameliorate	Make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better.
Upgrade	Raise (something) to a higher standard, in particular improve (a piece of equipment or software) by adding or replacing components.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can “increase” and “improve” ever be used together?
Yes, they can. Often, an increase in one area can lead to an improvement in another, or vice-versa. For example, “An increase in training hours helped to improve the team’s overall performance.” They describe different aspects of a positive change.

Question 2: Is there a noun form for “improve”?
While “improve” can occasionally function as a noun, the standard and much more common noun form is “improvement.” For example, you would say “We observed an improvement in her grades,” rather than “We observed an improve in her grades.”

Question 3: Which word should I use when talking about financial growth?
When referring to financial growth in terms of quantity or amount (e.g., revenue, profit, salary), “increase” is the appropriate word. For example, “The company’s profits increased by 15%.” If you’re talking about the quality or stability of finances, you might use “improve,” as in “We need to improve our financial stability.”

Conclusion

Understanding the distinction between “increase” and “improve” is crucial for precise communication. “Increase” quantifies growth in size, amount, or degree, focusing on measurable expansion. “Improve,” conversely, qualifies betterment in condition, quality, or standard, emphasizing enhancement. By recognizing whether you are discussing a quantitative rise or a qualitative upgrade, you can select the most accurate word.

Pro Tip: Using these words correctly demonstrates a keen eye for detail and strengthens your professional credibility, whether in academic writing, business reports, or everyday conversation.