better than even

USAGE SUMMARY

"better than even" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe something that is unexpected, or that surpasses expectations. For example, "He managed to finish the project better than even he had predicted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"Better than even," she replies.

The Economist

And his chances are better than even.

The New Yorker

Smartphones do this better than even the fanciest of digital cameras.

The Economist

"Search engines are far better than even five years ago," Motwani told me.

The New Yorker

But to Mr. Lugano, it's better than even the best underground cellar -- especially for sparkling wine.

The New York Times

To me, though, the odds of a recession still appear to be better than even.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Cool it, conservatives; we stand a better-than-even chance of winning the tie-breaker.

The New York Times

All that is really guaranteed is a better-than-even shot at quiet.

The New York Times

On the other hand, a close game would give him a better-than-even chance of winning the election.

The New York Times

A negative outlook suggests better-than-even odds that another downgrade is coming over the next two years.

The New York Times

If the recent economic improvement stalls, Mr. Romney would have a better-than-even shot in such areas.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "better than even" to convey a sense of surprise or unexpected success. For instance, "The product performed better than even the marketing team had hoped, leading to record sales."

Common error

Avoid using "better than even" when simply stating a preference; it implies exceeding a previously set expectation or probability, not just a subjective liking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better than even" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying nouns to indicate a state or result that surpasses a baseline expectation. This is supported by Ludwig's analysis, which confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "better than even" is a versatile adjective phrase used to convey that something has surpassed initial expectations or a baseline probability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. Its purpose is to express surprise or satisfaction, and it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When writing, remember that this phrase implies exceeding a specific expectation, not just expressing a general preference. Alternatives like "more than expected" or "exceeding expectations" can be used for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outperforming predictions

Highlights that some result/object is superior to existing predictions.

more than expected

Focuses on exceeding a prior expectation, without necessarily implying a probability.

remarkably superior

Highlights that some result/object is better or great than other objects of the same type.

better than anticipated

Specifically relates to outperforming a prior forecast or prediction.

exceeding expectations

Highlights the act of surpassing what was anticipated.

beyond expectations

Suggests a result that goes significantly beyond what was initially hoped for.

above average

Indicates a performance or result that is superior to the norm.

surprisingly good

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the positive outcome.

more impressive

Highlights that some result/object is remarkable or outstanding.

more than satisfactory

Highlights that some result/object is superior to the minimum requirements.

FAQs

How can I use "better than even" in a sentence?

Use "better than even" to indicate something has surpassed expectations or initial predictions. For example, "The company's profits were "better than even" the most optimistic forecasts."

What's the difference between "better than even" and "better than expected"?

"Better than even" implies exceeding a baseline expectation that might have been considered a 50/50 chance or a standard benchmark. "Better than expected" simply means surpassing what was anticipated, without the implication of a specific probability.

Are there situations where I shouldn't use "better than even"?

Avoid using "better than even" when describing simple preferences or comparisons that don't involve exceeding expectations. For instance, instead of saying "I like this better than even that", a simple "I prefer this" is more appropriate.

What can I say instead of "better than even" to convey exceeding expectations?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "more than expected", "exceeding expectations", or "better than anticipated".