a decidedly better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decidedly better" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a clear improvement or superiority in comparison to something else. Example: "After implementing the new strategy, we found that our results were a decidedly better reflection of our efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But he was in a decidedly better mood Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

Today, globalization has a decidedly better track record than its alternative.

The New York Times

Just a bunch of free throws so far, but a decidedly better opening tempo in this one.

The New York Times

It is a decidedly better approach than adding yet another front to the futile war on drugs.

The Washington Post

Even though the children in the study never reached the language levels of their hearing counterparts, those who received cochlear implants developed a decidedly better ability to understand and speak than they would have without the device, the researchers found.

Johns Hopkins University

A decidedly better future than our then present of 2008 and 2009.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Goldhagen's book has its uses, but today we need something decidedly better: a book on anti-Semitism that combines original reporting, accessible writing and a sense of restraint.

The New York Times - Books

Her career as a novelist is in decidedly better shape than her private life: she has achieved both international acclaim and commercial success as the author of novels that bear a marked resemblance to Mr. Irving's own books.

The New York Times - Books

"Most countries around the world will play on artificial turf one day because [unlike grass] it can be used 24 hours a day, seven days a week".Nowadays, FIFA's view is that the quality of the game is decidedly better on an artificial pitch than on a poorly maintained natural one which is often the case in Africa.

The Economist

But eventually her rigid body softened, and everything did feel decidedly better for a while afterwards.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Crenshaw's opening 91 was the day's worst score by six shots.... Tom Watson, playing in his 42nd Masters, fared decidedly better with a 71.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a decidedly better" when you want to clearly and emphatically indicate that something is superior to something else. It's stronger than simply saying 'better'.

Common error

While "a decidedly better" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or pretentious in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like 'much better' or 'way better' in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decidedly better" functions as an adverbial intensifier modifying the adjective "better". It serves to emphasize the degree to which something is improved or superior. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a decidedly better" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to emphasize a clear improvement or superiority. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not as common as simpler alternatives like 'much better', it adds a touch of formality and emphasis, making it suitable for news, academic, and professional contexts. Be mindful of the potential for sounding overly formal in casual settings. Consider alternatives such as "significantly superior" or "markedly improved" for a similar effect with slightly different nuances. The examples show that authoritative sources favor it when clearly stating an advantage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly superior

Emphasizes a greater degree of difference or advantage.

markedly improved

Highlights the noticeable enhancement or progress.

distinctly better

Stresses the clear and unmistakable difference in quality.

noticeably superior

Focuses on the ease with which the improvement can be observed.

appreciably better

Indicates that the improvement is substantial and worth considering.

considerably improved

Highlights the degree of positive change that has occurred.

substantially superior

Indicates a significant advantage in terms of quality or performance.

clearly better

Focuses on the lack of ambiguity regarding the improvement.

patently superior

Suggests that the superiority is obvious and undeniable.

unquestionably better

Emphasizes that there is no doubt about the improvement.

FAQs

How can I use "a decidedly better" in a sentence?

You can use "a decidedly better" to emphasize that something is significantly improved or superior. For example, "The new model is "a decidedly better" choice than the old one."

What are some alternatives to "a decidedly better"?

You can use alternatives like "significantly superior", "markedly improved", or "distinctly better depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "a decidedly better"?

While grammatically correct, "a decidedly better" may sound too formal in casual settings. Consider using simpler alternatives like "much better" or "way better" in informal conversations.

What's the difference between "a decidedly better" and "better"?

"A decidedly better" emphasizes a more significant and noticeable improvement compared to just "better". It adds a level of emphasis and formality.