"upgrade/improve your car"

    • roniy said:
    "upgrade/improve your car"

    Do they mean the same ???

    Thanks.
    Click to expand...

    They sound much the same to my ear, but they are not common expressions. I think people more often speak of "customizing" their cars, which may range from a special paint job or set of hubcaps to the replacement of the engine with a bigger one and other major modifications to make the car go faster.

    Or perhaps you had something else in mind? If so, some extra context would help. :)
     
    Old Novice said:
    They sound much the same to my ear, but they are not common expressions. I think people more often speak of "customizing" their cars, which may range from a special paint job or set of hubcaps to the replacement of the engine with a bigger one and other major modifications to make the car go faster.

    Or perhaps you had something else in mind? If so, some extra context would help. :)
    Click to expand...

    Yeah that what I wanted to say ....
    to customize/improve/upgrade internal parts.

    Thanks.
     
    Hi roniy.

    It really depends on the context. I'd be inclined to say yes, though neither would probably be used by an English speaker to convey the idea in this instance.

    'Improve' is usually reserved for non-physical things, like relationships, methods of doing things, etc., while 'upgrade' is usually associated with techonology such as computer systems or televisions.

    If you had to choose between the two though, I'd go with upgrade.

    [EDIT: I definitely agree with Old Novice; 'customise' would be a much better alternative. To 'mod' or 'modify' would also be acceptable if your reader is a teenager/young adult!]
     
    Typo said:
    Hi roniy.

    It really depends on the context. I'd be inclined to say yes, though neither would probably be used by an English speaker to convey the idea in this instance.

    'Improve' is usually reserved for non-physical things, like relationships, methods of doing things, etc., while 'upgrade' is usually associated with techonology such as computer systems or televisions.

    If you had to choose between the two though, I'd go with upgrade.
    Click to expand...
    as said before .
    Let's say you want to customize internal parts of your car.
     
    Old Novice said:
    They sound much the same to my ear, but they are not common expressions. I think people more often speak of "customizing" their cars, which may range from a special paint job or set of hubcaps to the replacement of the engine with a bigger one and other major modifications to make the car go faster.

    Or perhaps you had something else in mind? If so, some extra context would help. :)
    Click to expand...

    I've just seen some phrases with "customize" and it's looked like it's used only for external things. like "customize you car's color" or something like that .

    And I have seen pretty much sentences using "upgrade" for internal parts, like:
    " Upgrade your engine for better preformance"
     
    Typo said:
    [EDIT: I definitely agree with Old Novice; 'customise' would be a much better alternative. To 'mod' or 'modify' would also be acceptable if your reader is a teenager/young adult!]
    Click to expand...

    but as I responded to Old Novice, I've seen some sentences with "customise" ( and I guess in this context "modify" means the same) and it was only for external parts like the color of the car or skirts. and upgrade I've mostly seen for internal parts like engine, turbo or something like that.
     
    When describing specific parts, (such as in the examples you give) definitely use upgrade.

    The difficulty arises when you want to describe the general action of 'upgrading your car'. Using 'upgrade' here implies you're altering the whole car or even buying a new one, not just one or two specific parts.

    In this sense, customise or modify would probably be better.

    So, in short, if you're just talking about an engine or muffler (for example), go with upgrade. If you're talking generally, use customise. :)
     
    Typo said:
    When describing specific parts, (such as in the examples you give) definitely use upgrade.

    The difficulty arises when you want to describe the general action of 'upgrading your car'. Using 'upgrade' here implies you're altering the whole car or even buying a new one, not just one or two specific parts.

    In this sense, customise or modify would probably be better.

    So, in short, if you're just talking about an engine or muffler (for example), go with upgrade. If you're talking generally, use customise. :)
    Click to expand...


    Ohhh, I see , my mistake :)

    Thank you for clarifying :)
     
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