better is it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better is it" is not commonly used in modern written English and may sound archaic or poetic.
It can be used in a context where one is emphasizing that something is preferable or more advantageous, often in a rhetorical or literary style. Example: "Better is it to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Is he feeling better, is it right what we are doing here?

BMC Psychiatry

How much better is it than a TV half its price?

TechCrunch

It's not that hard to figure out "better," is it?

The New Yorker

It's never going to get any better, is it?

The Guardian - Sport

For those who know it better, is it a symptom of court decisions?

The Economist

It turns out that wasn't ambitious enough for Dave Grohl though as he's confirmed there will be a second season of Sonic Highways, and what's better is it could potentially be set in the UK.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

(Is it already better, isn't it?).

WikiHow

There, that's better, isn't it?

The New York Times - Food

That's much better, isn't it?

The New York Times

"This is much better, isn't it?

Vice

"It had better be useful, it better be fast, and it better be free," he said, exaggerating only slightly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you want to modernize "better is it", consider restructuring the sentence as "is it better".

Common error

Avoid overuse of "better is it" in contemporary writing. While grammatically correct, excessive use can make your writing sound unnatural or affected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better is it" functions as a rhetorical question or statement to inquire about or assert the superiority or preference of one thing over another. Ludwig provides examples where it is used to compare quality or desirability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "better is it" is a grammatically acceptable but somewhat archaic way to inquire about or assert the superiority of something. While Ludwig highlights that its usage is relatively common, it's important to consider the context and audience when choosing to use this phrase. Modern alternatives like "is it better" or "is it an improvement" may be more suitable for contemporary writing. When deciding whether or not to use "better is it", consider the overall tone and register you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is it an improvement

Focuses on whether something constitutes a positive change or upgrade.

is it superior

Highlights the aspect of higher quality or performance.

is it preferable

Emphasizes the aspect of being more desirable or suitable.

how does it compare

Focuses on a comparison of quality or benefit relative to something else.

is it any better

Questions whether there is a noticeable or significant improvement.

does it offer an advantage

Highlights the aspect of providing a benefit or positive attribute.

is it a step up

Focuses on progression or advancement in quality or status.

is there an advantage

Focuses on whether there is any benefit over something else.

does it measure up

Questions whether it meets a certain standard or expectation.

is it worth the upgrade

Emphasizes whether it makes financial and practical sense.

FAQs

What does "better is it" mean?

The phrase "better is it" means something is preferable or an improvement over something else. It is often used to pose a rhetorical question or make a statement about relative value.

How can I rephrase "better is it" to sound more modern?

You can rephrase "better is it" to be more modern by saying "is it better", "is it an improvement", or "does it offer an advantage".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "better is it"?

The phrase "better is it" can be appropriate in contexts where you want to evoke a sense of tradition, poetry, or formality. However, it's best to avoid it in everyday conversation or informal writing.

Is "better is it" grammatically correct?

Yes, "better is it" is grammatically correct, although it sounds somewhat archaic. It follows a subject-verb-complement order, but the phrasing is not common in contemporary English.