better than doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better than doing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing the value or preference of one action over another. Example: "I find reading a book to be better than doing nothing on a lazy afternoon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

But better than doing nothing.

The Economist

"There's nothing better than doing what's right".

The New York Times

Anything's better than doing what you're told.

The Guardian

"It's always better than doing it yourself.

The New York Times

"It's better than doing something bad like gambling".

The New Yorker

"Still, probably better than doing a rain dance".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

The fact that the Invisible Children group is doing anything is better than doing nothing.

The Guardian

"Doing something is better than doing nothing, so people believe," she says.

BBC

There is nothing better than doing something special for you.

Huffington Post

I love running, but mostly I approach life that moving is better than doing nothing.

Los Angeles Times

"I'm saying, doing a worse thing is not better than doing nothing at all.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing actions, use "better than doing" to clearly express preference or a more favorable outcome. For example, "Investing in education is better than doing nothing to improve your future prospects."

Common error

Avoid using "better than doing" when not making a direct comparison between actions. For example, don't say "He felt better than doing before", but rather "He felt better than he did before".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better than doing" functions as a comparative, indicating that one action is more desirable, effective, or advantageous than another. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to express preference or to justify an action as an improvement over inaction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "better than doing" is a versatile comparative used to express that one action is more favorable, effective, or preferable compared to another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, from news and media to science and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure that a clear comparison between two actions is present to avoid misuse. Alternatives such as "preferable to doing" or "more advantageous than doing" can provide nuanced variations in meaning while maintaining clarity. Using the right alternative may help you to express your meaning to an even greater degree.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preferable to doing

Emphasizes a stronger sense of preference.

superior to doing

Highlights the higher quality or effectiveness of one action over another.

more beneficial than doing

Highlights the positive impact of one action compared to another.

more advantageous than doing

Focuses on the benefits gained from choosing one action over another.

more worthwhile than doing

Emphasizes the value or merit of choosing one action.

more effective than doing

Specifically points out which action produces better results.

greater than doing

Implies a larger scale or impact from one action.

outweighs doing

Indicates that the benefits of one action are more significant than those of another.

wiser than doing

Suggests that one action is a more sensible or intelligent choice.

exceeds doing

Suggests that one action surpasses another in some quality or aspect.

FAQs

How to use "better than doing" in a sentence?

Use "better than doing" to compare the advantages of one activity over another. For example, "Studying regularly is "better than doing" all-nighters before exams".

What's a formal alternative to "better than doing"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "preferable to doing" or "more advantageous than doing" to maintain a professional tone. For example, "A proactive approach is "preferable to doing" nothing in crisis management".

Is "better than to do" grammatically correct instead of "better than doing"?

While "better than to do" might sound similar, ""better than doing"" is the more common and grammatically accepted form when comparing actions. For example, "Exercising is better than doing nothing for your health" is correct.

When is "doing something is better than doing nothing" a good approach?

The adage "doing something is better than doing nothing" applies when any action, even imperfect, can yield a positive outcome or prevent further deterioration of a situation. However, it is not valid in situations where rash actions can cause unintended damage; a well thought action must be prioritized over a rushed one.