better are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better are" is correct and usable in written English, though it is somewhat archaic or poetic.
It can be used in contexts where you want to emphasize the superiority of something, often in a more formal or literary style. Example: "Better are those who seek knowledge than those who remain ignorant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Are you coughing less, are you feeling better, are you sleeping through the night.

Cough

Scarcely better are the "proximity thanks".

The Guardian - Books

(Far better are free-standing, rectilinear building: think warehouses, basically).

The Guardian

Better are the jokes he comes up with offstage.

The New York Times - Arts

Even better are the seats designated Metropolitan Club.

The New York Times - Style

Much better are the round-the-harbor tours.

The New York Times - Travel

Better are brief animated videos made from sequences of drawings.

The New York Times

How much better are they than everyone else?

The New York Times - Sports

Even better are the puddings and pastries that follow.

Independent

"The starting point was that our best managers have teams that perform better, are retained better, are happier — they do everything better," Mr. Bock says.

The New York Times

Even better are the moist salmon croquettes, supported by a creamy brussels sprout slaw.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "better are" when you want to emphasize the quality or superiority of something, often in a context where inversion adds stylistic emphasis.

Common error

Don't overuse "better are" in casual writing; while grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or archaic. Opt for more common phrasing like "are better" in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better are" primarily functions as an adjective phrase followed by a verb, typically used to emphasize the comparative quality of the subject. As Ludwig indicates, it's a grammatically correct construction, although less common in contemporary English. The examples show its use in highlighting superior options or characteristics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "better are" is a grammatically correct construction used to emphasize the superior quality of something. As Ludwig confirms, it's valid in English but less common in contemporary usage. Predominantly found in news and media sources, its stylistic effect adds emphasis when highlighting a comparison. While correct, consider the audience and context to decide if an inversion that highlights comparison, is what you are trying to achieve. Alternatives such as "are better" often serve as more suitable options for casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are superior

Replaces "better" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing a higher degree of quality.

are preferable

Indicates a preferred choice or option, rather than a direct comparison of quality.

are of higher quality

Emphasizes the quality aspect of being better, using a more descriptive phrase.

are improved

Focuses on the act of becoming better, implying a change in state.

hold an advantage

Highlights the benefit or advantage that something has over something else.

are more advantageous

Similar to "hold an advantage" but uses a more direct comparison.

are a cut above

An idiomatic expression indicating a higher level of quality or performance.

are a step up

Similar to "a cut above" but implies a more gradual improvement.

outperform

Focuses on the act of performing better, specifically in a competitive context.

are more effective

Highlights the effectiveness of something, rather than its overall quality.

FAQs

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

You can use "better are" to emphasize a quality or characteristic. For example, "Even "better are" the puddings and pastries that follow."

What's a less formal alternative to "better are"?

In most cases, "are better" is a more common and less formal alternative. For example, instead of "Better are the days when..." you can say "The days are better when..."

Is "better are" grammatically correct?

Yes, "better are" is grammatically correct, although it is less common in contemporary English and often used for emphasis or in more formal contexts.

When should I use "better are" over "are better"?

Use "better are" when you want to place emphasis on the adjective "better". This construction is often found in literary or formal writing where inversion is used for stylistic effect. In most casual conversations use "are better".