be second to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be second to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not as good as or is inferior to something else. Example: "In terms of innovation, this product may be second to none, but its price is still a concern."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He wants to be second to none.

The New York Times

"The attention to detail must be second to none".

The New York Times - Sports

Proper Army training taught me to be second to none.

Independent

That would be second to the record 907,000 new homes sold in 1999.

The New York Times

I don't like to be second, but it's not bad to be second to this horse".

The New York Times

"I never wanted to be second to anyone else," he has always said.

The Guardian - Sport

"I felt our run production was going to be second to none.

The New York Times - Sports

There they were assured my care would be second to none, and provided at no charge.

The New York Times

"But I won't be the only guy to be second to Mariano, that's for sure.

The New York Times

"I couldn't think of anyone better than one of my family to be second to me..."....

Independent

An individual's career should be second to that of the football club.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be second to", ensure that the comparison is clear and the subject of the comparison is explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be second to" when you simply mean "next to" in a spatial sense. The phrase implies a difference in quality or importance, not just physical proximity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be second to" functions as a comparative term, indicating that something is of lesser importance, quality, or rank compared to another. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to establish hierarchies or levels of priority.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be second to" is a versatile comparative term used to indicate inferiority or lower rank. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While generally neutral, it can adopt a more formal tone depending on the subject matter. Remembering to clearly state the comparison subject and avoiding its misuse for simple spatial relationships are key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be secondary to

Directly indicates a lower priority or importance.

be inferior to

Directly expresses a lower quality or status.

rank below

Indicates a lower position in a hierarchy or ranking.

be subordinate to

Highlights a hierarchical relationship.

play second fiddle to

An idiomatic expression denoting a subordinate role.

take a backseat to

Suggests a reduced level of importance or activity.

come after

Focuses on the sequence rather than the level of importance.

come in second place to

Specifically indicates being the runner-up in a competition.

follow behind

Implies a trailing position, either literally or figuratively.

trail behind

Suggests a position at the back of a group or list.

FAQs

How can I use "be second to" in a sentence?

Use "be second to" to indicate that something is inferior or less important than something else. For example, "His personal ambitions should "be secondary to" the needs of the team".

What's the difference between "be second to" and "be inferior to"?

"Be second to" implies a ranking or order, while "be inferior to" directly states a lower quality. They can often be used interchangeably, but "be second to" can also suggest a temporal sequence.

What can I say instead of "be second to"?

You can use alternatives like "rank below", "be subordinate to", or ""be secondary to"" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "be second to none"?

Yes, "be second to none" is a common idiom that means to be the best or unsurpassed. For example, "Their customer service is "be second to none"".