Is it improve upon or improve on?

Re: Is it improve upon or improve on?

• ExpatPumpkin member

  

  May 2010

  What's the whole sentence?

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• RachNRich member

  

  May 2010

  upon.
  
  I think.
  

  
  
  

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• ricksang member

  

  May 2010

  There are several things I need to improve upon but I think after some more experience with counseling, my sessions will only get better.

  

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• opalsky007 member

  

  May 2010

  "upon which I need to improve"
  
  Don't leave the preposition hanging.
  

  
  Miss Mrs.

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• RachNRich member

  

  May 2010

  upon, for sure.

  
  
  

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• ohwhynot member

  

  May 2010

  Given teh entire sentence, I'd just state "there are several things I need to improve but . . . " and skip the "on" or "upon."
  
  Otherwise, I'd say "there are several things upon which I need to improve but . . . "
  

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• kate51485 member

  

  May 2010

  I don't think you necessarily need the word at all, honestly.

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• RachNRich member

  

  May 2010

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_improve-upon-improve?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:d4984bab-eeaa-4df9-9edb-72eb014b9d71Post:15d0d782-b194-42ba-a99d-4585fa73957b">Re: Is it improve upon or improve on?</a>:
  [QUOTE]"upon which I need to improve" Don't leave the preposition hanging.
  Posted by opalsky007[/QUOTE]
  This.
  
  (I knew it sounded odd, I just couldn't place it....Opal to the rescue!)

  
  
  

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• ricksang member

  

  May 2010

  Okay taking it out does sound better. Thanks Girls!

  

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• thesuninherhead member

  

  May 2010

  I would also say, 'upon which I need to improve'. 

  

  planning | married

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• ricksang member

  

  May 2010

  aYeah it sounded strange to me too.

  

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• ExpatPumpkin member

  

  May 2010

  I found this:
  
  - To make beneficial additions or changes: improve on the translation.
  
  - (intr; usually foll by on or upon) to achieve a better standard or quality in comparison (with): to improve on last year's crop
  
  (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/improve+upon)
  
  The second definition mentions upon, but then uses on in the example
  
  Maybe you should drop the upon just in case.  Your sentence would still make sense...

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• ricksang member

  

  May 2010

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_improve-upon-improve?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:d4984bab-eeaa-4df9-9edb-72eb014b9d71Post:dc63afca-b6bb-482e-9f1e-97f1e1fa2be5">Re: Is it improve upon or improve on?</a>:
  [QUOTE]hmm I think on may sound better. But I just finished writing 2 papers so my brain is pretty much fried.
  Posted by LisaFapple[/QUOTE]
  
  Ha ! Two more weeks.

  

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• ricksang member

  

  May 2010

  Yeah I dropped it. I don't even know why I was trying to use it lol! I never say that.

  

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