better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an improvement or a more favorable option in comparison to something else. Example: "If you want to achieve your goals, it's better to start planning now rather than waiting until the last minute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No deal is better than a bad deal.

The New York Times

This is because building better infrastructure helps create jobs, building a stronger economy for us all.

The Guardian

Fail better".

The New York Times

I couldn't have said it better myself.

The New York Times

"We can do better than that.

The New York Times

It is making things worse, not better.

The Guardian

Interested in finding out more about how you can live better?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Better get used to it.

The New York Times

Nine belong to a parliamentary association that wants the teaching of history in schools to give a better gloss to Japan's militarist era".

The New York Times

This is much better.

The New York Times - Sports

The reason for this conflict, Schelling explained, was that not wearing a helmet conferred a slight advantage on the ice; crucially, it gave the player better peripheral vision, and it also made him look fearless.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "better" to indicate an improvement or a more favorable option, but consider stronger words like "best" when appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "better" when you actually mean "best". "Better" is comparative, used to compare two things. "Best" indicates the highest degree of quality among three or more items.

Linguistic Context

The word "better" functions primarily as a comparative adjective or adverb, indicating a higher quality or more desirable state in relation to something else. Ludwig examples show it used to describe improved conditions, preferable choices, and enhanced abilities, confirming its role in making comparisons.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Sport

25%

Lifestyle

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "better" functions as a comparative, indicating a more favorable or superior state. Ludwig's analysis reveals it is grammatically sound and frequently used, particularly in News & Media, Lifestyle, and Sport contexts. It's crucial to use "better" correctly in comparative scenarios and avoid using it when "best" is more appropriate. As Ludwig confirms, mastering "better" enhances clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

superior

Implies a higher quality or standard compared to something else.

preferable

Indicates that something is more to one's liking or more appropriate.

more effective

Focuses on the increased ability to produce a desired result.

more suitable

Indicates a higher degree of suitability for a particular purpose or situation.

more efficient

Emphasizes the increased ability to avoid wasting materials, energy, efforts, money, and time in doing something or in producing a desired result.

improved

Highlights the state of being enhanced or made more effective.

more desirable

Emphasizes the increased appeal or attractiveness of something.

enhanced

Emphasizes the augmentation or intensification of qualities.

more advantageous

Highlights the increased benefits or favorable aspects.

finer

Suggests a more refined or delicate quality.

FAQs

How can I use "better" in a sentence?

"Better" is used to compare two things, indicating one is superior or more desirable. For example, "This solution is "better" than the last one".

What are some alternatives to the word "better"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "superior", "preferable", or "improved".

Which is correct: "better than" or "better then"?

The correct phrase is "better than". "Then" is used for time or sequence, while "than" is used for comparisons.

What's the difference between "better" and "best"?

"Better" is a comparative adjective, used when comparing two things. "Best" is a superlative adjective, used when comparing three or more things. For example, "This is a "better" option, but that is the "best"".