a touch better

USAGE SUMMARY

'a touch better' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to say that something is a little bit better than it was before. For example, "Since we got the heater fixed, the temperature in the house is a touch better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Her pay is a touch better.

The New York Times

He was a touch better at the end.

The New York Times - Sports

"I thought we had a really good car," but "the 11 was just a touch better".

The New York Times - Sports

It wasn't enough tonight against Wei-Yin Chen who was just a touch better.

The Guardian - Sport

Not sure if we were any good but England were a touch better.

The Guardian - Sport

We just thought Doug was bowling a touch better at this time".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Mustn't the cuffs of chinos scuff the pavement a touch, the better to fray and thereby transmit American insouciance?

The New York Times - Magazine

What exactly makes a touch panel better than another?

TechCrunch

For example, spend some time doing some Metro-style development out-of-hours so you'll understand touch better.

The Guardian - Tech

It sported a strong jaw and other head parts that enabled it to chew, smell, hear and touch better than any reptile.

The New York Times - Books

This provides calming stimulation that allows them to handle touch better.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a touch better" to subtly indicate a slight improvement without exaggerating. For example, "The updated software is a touch better than the previous version."

Common error

Avoid using "a touch better" when the improvement is significant. This phrase is best suited for small, subtle enhancements. For example, saying "The new model is a touch better," when it's completely redesigned misrepresents its value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a touch better" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying an adjective or verb. It qualifies the degree to which something is better, indicating a slight or subtle improvement. This is consistent with examples found by Ludwig AI that indicates that is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

13%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a touch better" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a slight improvement or advantage. According to Ludwig AI is correct and usable in written English. It functions as an adverbial phrase and is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives may be appropriate in academic or professional settings. When using this phrase, be sure to accurately reflect the degree of improvement, avoiding overstatement. Ludwig examples, from various sources, demonstrate consistent usage of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A bit better

Uses "bit" to denote a small degree of betterment.

Slightly superior

Emphasizes a marginal advantage in quality or performance.

Marginally improved

Focuses on the aspect of enhancement, though minimal.

A shade better

Uses "shade" to imply a subtle degree of improvement.

Somewhat enhanced

Highlights that there's been an increase in something's value or appeal.

A notch above

Implies a small step up in quality or status.

Mildly superior

Highlights a gentle level of advantage in quality.

A hair better

Uses "hair" to convey a minimal difference in quality.

Barely better

Indicates that the improvement is small or scarcely noticeable.

Minimally improved

Indicates that the degree of improvement is so small it is not very important.

FAQs

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

You can use "a touch better" to indicate a slight improvement or advantage. For example, "The new recipe is "a touch better" than the old one."

What are some alternatives to saying "a touch better"?

Some alternatives include "slightly superior", "marginally improved", or "a bit better" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a touch better" in formal writing?

While "a touch better" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "somewhat enhanced" or "minimally improved" might be more suitable for academic or business contexts.

What's the difference between "a touch better" and "much better"?

"A touch better" indicates a slight improvement, while "much better" implies a significant or substantial improvement. The choice depends on the degree of difference you want to convey.