better of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better of" is not correct in standard written English; the correct form is "better off." You can use it when discussing a situation where someone is in a more favorable or advantageous position compared to another situation.
Example: "After switching jobs, I feel much better off financially than I did before."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I expect better of you.

The Economist

He knows better, of course.

The New York Times - Sports

I thought better of it.

The New York Times - Magazine

More speed is always better, of course.

The New York Times

Can I say better of myself?

The New Yorker

Then I thought better of it.

The New York Times

We do expect better of the politicians.

The New York Times

He decided better of going inside.

The New York Times - Sports

You expect better of a former president.

The New York Times

Then he thought better of it.

The New York Times - Sports

Eventually, Americans thought better of those attitudes.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace the phrase "better of" with grammatically correct alternatives such as "better than", "better off", or rephrase the sentence to enhance precision and avoid potential misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid using "better of" when you mean "better off", which indicates being in a more advantageous situation, or "better than", which is used for comparisons. Always verify the intended meaning to ensure the correct phrase is used.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better of" often functions as part of a longer expression where it's intended to show a comparison or preference. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English, so its function is often misunderstood or misused.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

33%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "better of" appears frequently in various contexts, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect in standard written English. Its intended purpose is often to express a preference or comparison, but this is better achieved using alternatives like ""better than"" or ""better off"", depending on the intended meaning. Despite its common occurrence in news and media, aiming for grammatical accuracy will enhance clarity and avoid potential misunderstandings. Pay attention to context to avoid common errors, and rely on grammatically correct alternatives to convey your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more advantageous

Focuses on the benefits and positive outcomes of a particular choice.

favorable alternative

Suggests a choice that is seen as more positive or beneficial.

more suitable

Suggests a greater degree of appropriateness or fitness for a particular purpose.

superior option

Highlights that one choice is of higher quality or more effective.

more desirable

Highlights that something is wanted or wished for to a greater extent.

preferable course

Emphasizes a course of action that is more desirable or advantageous.

advantageous circumstance

Focuses on the situational benefits.

beneficial situation

Indicates a state of affairs that is helpful or advantageous.

improved condition

Refers to a state that is enhanced or upgraded compared to a previous one.

enhanced state

Implies that something has been improved or made more effective.

FAQs

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

Use "better off" to indicate that someone is in a more advantageous or favorable situation. For example, "After switching jobs, I'm "better off" financially."

What's the difference between "better of" and "better than"?

"Better than" is used for comparisons, indicating one thing is superior to another. "Better of" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. So, instead of saying "This is the better of the two", say "This is "better than" that".

Is "better of" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, "better of" is not considered correct in standard written English. It's advisable to use alternatives like ""better off"" or ""better than"" depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to "better of"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as ""better than"" for comparisons, ""better off"" to indicate an improved situation, or rephrase the sentence for clarity.