a touch better than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a touch better than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare two things, indicating that one is slightly superior to the other. Example: "This model is a touch better than the previous version in terms of performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Beyond the stunning animation (they finally got hair right!), there's little to recommend besides the fact that it's a touch better than Shrek the Third".

The Guardian - Film

It's like settling a basketball game with a game of H.O.R.S.E., and it's only a touch better than resolving the Tour de France by seeing who can change a flat tire faster.

The New Yorker

Federer, whose Swiss team had been favourites to reach the quarter-finals, said: "We had our chances but maybe they were a touch better than us and that shows in the score.

BBC

In order to stand out from the crowd, you'll have to create content that is a touch better than the other guy.

Huffington Post

That was a touch better than forecast by economists, who had expected a 0.2percentt slump, and dodging a technical recession following a 0.3percentt contraction in the last three months of 2011.

Huffington Post

The third-seeded Clippers 56-266) earned home-court advantage in the series after closing the regular season with 14 victories in their last 15 games, a touch better than the sixth-seeded Spurs 55-277), won won 14 of their last 16.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Her pay is a touch better.

The New York Times

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

Margaret J. Young, 54, chief executive of the marketing firm Mill Square Group and a Harvard Business School alumnae, said that at most universities, "the fraternity and sorority groups stay in touch better than the general alumni groups and rely on each other for advice".

The New York Times

What exactly makes a touch panel better than another?

TechCrunch

"You could see he was nervous, his touch is better than it was," Johnson told BBC Somerset.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a touch better than" when you want to indicate a subtle but noticeable improvement or preference between two options. It is suitable for comparisons where the difference is not substantial.

Common error

Avoid using "a touch better than" when the difference between the two things being compared is significant. This phrase downplays the disparity and may mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a touch better than" functions as a comparative expression, indicating a slight degree of superiority. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It is used to show that one item is subtly superior to another. It's worth noting that while grammatically sound, its frequent use appears more in news and media.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

13%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

17%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a touch better than" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase used to indicate a slight degree of superiority. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. While not extremely common, the phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts. It serves the purpose of expressing a subtle preference or minor improvement. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "slightly superior to" or "marginally better than". Ensure that the difference being described is indeed subtle to avoid misrepresenting the comparison.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly superior to

Indicates a minor difference in quality or performance.

marginally better than

Highlights the small margin of improvement or advantage.

a bit better than

Emphasizes a small and noticeable improvement.

somewhat better than

Implies a moderate degree of improvement or preference.

just a shade better than

Highlights a very subtle difference.

a notch above

Suggests a small step up in quality or status.

a cut above

Indicates a noticeable difference in quality, suggesting superiority.

ever so slightly better

Adds emphasis on the minimal difference.

a hair better than

Implies an almost imperceptible level of improvement.

minutely superior to

Emphasizes a small and detailed difference in quality.

FAQs

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

You can use "a touch better than" to compare two similar things, indicating that one is slightly superior. For example, "This new version is "a touch better than" the old one in terms of battery life".

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

Alternatives include "slightly superior to", "marginally better than", or "a bit better than", depending on the context.

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

While generally acceptable, "a touch better than" leans towards informal. For formal writing, consider using phrases like "slightly superior to" or "marginally better than" to maintain a more professional tone.

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

"A touch better than" indicates a small, subtle difference, while "much better than" implies a significant and noticeable difference. Use "a touch better than" when the improvement is minimal and "much better than" when the improvement is substantial.