What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
development
Example
The city is undergoing rapid development with new buildings and businesses popping up everywhere. [development: noun]
Example
She has shown significant development in her piano playing skills since she started taking lessons. [development: noun]
improvement
Example
The company implemented several improvements to their customer service system to increase satisfaction. [improvements: noun]
Example
He has made great improvement in his English speaking ability since he started practicing regularly. [improvement: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Improvement is more commonly used than development in everyday language. Improvement is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while development is often used in more specialized or technical fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between development and improvement?
Both development and improvement can be used in formal and informal contexts, but development may be more commonly used in formal or technical settings due to its specialized connotation.