are better off

USAGE SUMMARY

"are better off" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is often used to compare two situations and imply that one is more advantageous or desirable than the other. Example: "After graduating from college, she realized she was better off with a job in the city than her hometown." In this sentence, "are better off" is used to suggest that having a job in the city is more advantageous for the person mentioned than staying in their hometown.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

We are better off in".

The Guardian

Some states are better off than others.

The New York Times

We are better off as we are".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"They are better off without a union.

The New York Times

I believe the souls are better off".

The New York Times

We are better off inside the EU.

The Guardian - Opinion

The family are better off by £365.

The Guardian - Money

The farmers are better off, their calves are stronger.

The Economist

Connected societies are better off than isolated ones.

The New York Times

Among those living here, some are better off than others.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Now they are better-off and more confident.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two scenarios, ensure clarity by explicitly stating both situations to avoid ambiguity: "After the new policy was implemented, employees are better off due to increased benefits".

Common error

Avoid using "are better off" in contexts where a simpler verb like "prefer" would be more appropriate. "I am better off walking" might be better phrased as "I prefer to walk".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "are better off" is to serve as a predicate adjective phrase, describing the state or condition of the subject. It indicates that the subject is in a more favorable or advantageous situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

22%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are better off" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone or something is in a more advantageous situation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Appearing most frequently in news and media, as shown by Ludwig's examples, it is a neutral phrase suitable for various contexts, from formal business discussions to informal conversations. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating both compared situations. While there are several alternatives, such as "benefit from" or "are thriving", it's important to choose the one that best fits the context and maintains the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are in a more advantageous position

Focuses on the positional advantage gained.

are in a superior situation

Highlights the superiority of the condition.

are in a more favorable state

Emphasizes the favorability of the circumstance.

benefit from

Directly indicates the act of receiving advantages.

gain an advantage

Focuses on the act of obtaining an advantage.

are profiting

Emphasizes financial or material gains.

are thriving

Suggests a state of flourishing and success.

are flourishing

Similar to thriving but with a stronger emphasis on growth.

are improving

Indicates an ongoing process of betterment.

are progressing

Highlights forward movement and development.

FAQs

How can I use "are better off" in a sentence?

Use "are better off" to indicate that someone or something is in a more advantageous or favorable position compared to a previous state or alternative situation. For example, "Students "are better off" with smaller class sizes".

What's a simple alternative to "are better off"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "benefit from" or "are thriving" as simpler alternatives to "are better off".

How does "are better off" compare to "are worse off"?

"Are better off" indicates improvement or advantage, while "are worse off" signifies a decline or disadvantage. They are antonyms used to describe opposing outcomes.

Is it correct to say "is better off" instead of "are better off"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "is better off" for singular subjects (e.g., "He is better off"), and "are better off" for plural subjects (e.g., "They "are better off"").