better part

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better part" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the majority or a significant portion of something, often in the context of time or effort. Example: "He spent the better part of the day working on his project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Courage is the better part of valor.

The New York Times

Or the better part of political valor.

The New York Times

Cleaning up took the better part of a year.

The New York Times - Magazine

Shepherdson spent the better part of two decades pursuing Cassius.

The New York Times

So went the better part of 20 years.

The New York Times

It consumed the better part of three presidential terms.

The New York Times - Sports

For the better part of five weeks, the Nets evolved.

The New York Times - Sports

Discretion is always the better part of an ASEAN communiqué.

The Economist

The trip took the better part of a whole day.

The New York Times

The drive took the better part of the morning.

The New York Times

We spent the better part of a week together.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "better part" to indicate a significant duration or a considerable portion of something. For example, "He spent the "better part" of the afternoon reading."

Common error

Avoid using "better part" when referring to something improving; instead, use "improved part" or a more specific term to avoid confusion. "The "better part" of the engine is now installed" could be misinterpreted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better part" functions primarily as a determiner followed by a noun, modifying a noun to indicate a significant portion or duration. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing lengths of time or amounts of something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "better part" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a significant portion or duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. The phrase is common across diverse contexts like News & Media and academia. When using "better part", ensure that the context aligns with its meaning of signifying a considerable, but not necessarily superior, portion. Be mindful of potential misinterpretations and consider alternatives like "majority of" or "larger portion" for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greater part

Simple synonym which refers to the biggest portion.

majority of

Focuses on numerical dominance rather than quality or importance.

greater portion

Emphasizes a larger segment without necessarily implying the best aspect.

larger share

Highlights the relative size of a part compared to the whole.

most significant portion

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the specific part.

substantial segment

Highlights a considerable part of the whole.

major fraction

Highlights a bigger amount from the whole, expressed through a fraction.

bulk of

Implies the main or largest part of something, often in terms of quantity.

lion's share

Denotes the largest and most desirable portion, often acquired unfairly.

best aspect

Emphasizes the most favorable or advantageous element within a whole.

FAQs

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

You can use "better part" to describe a significant portion of time or effort. For example, "She dedicated the "better part" of her career to environmental conservation."

What's a good substitute for "better part"?

Depending on the context, you could use "majority of", "larger portion", or "most significant portion" to replace "better part".

Is it appropriate to use "better part" in formal writing?

Yes, "better part" is acceptable in formal writing, especially when indicating a substantial amount of time or effort. However, consider using more precise language if specificity is crucial.

How does "greater part" compare to "better part"?

"Greater part" and "better part" are similar, but "better part" often implies a more significant or valuable portion, while "greater part" simply refers to the larger portion.