better than ever

USAGE SUMMARY

"better than ever" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is now at a high quality level or is even surpassing its previous level. For example: Since her recovery, my grandmother's health is better than ever.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And better than ever!

Independent

He looked better than ever.

The New York Times

Hockey is better than ever.

The New York Times

Maybe better than ever.

The New York Times - Magazine

Fazer Better than ever.

The Guardian

Or better than ever?

The Guardian - Arts

It's better than ever.

The Washington Post

Financially, we're doing better than ever.

The New Yorker

"I'm better than ever," Brook said.

Independent

The city looks better than ever.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ronnie 'better than ever'.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "better than ever" to emphasize a notable improvement or peak performance, contrasting with previous states. This phrase is effective when highlighting positive change or superior quality.

Common error

Avoid using "better than ever" excessively, as it can lose its impact. Reserve it for situations where the improvement is truly significant and demonstrable, maintaining its credibility and effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better than ever" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, used to emphasize that something is currently in a superior state compared to all previous instances. It modifies nouns or clauses to indicate improved quality, performance, or condition. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "better than ever" is a grammatically correct and commonly used comparative phrase that expresses that something is currently in a superior state compared to all previous instances. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in a wide range of contexts, particularly in news and media, academia, and business. It is used to highlight positive change, improvements, or peak states. While versatile, overuse can diminish its impact, so it should be reserved for situations where the improvement is significant. Alternatives like "at its peak" or "surpassing previous standards" can provide variety. The analysis of Ludwig’s examples reveals that authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surpassing previous standards

Focuses on exceeding prior levels of performance or quality, emphasizing a comparative aspect.

at its peak

Highlights the current state as the highest point achieved, suggesting a culmination of progress.

in better shape than before

Emphasizes improved condition or form, often referring to physical or operational status.

exceeding all expectations

Stresses that performance has gone beyond what was anticipated, pointing to a surprisingly positive outcome.

in top form

Implies optimal condition or readiness, suitable for contexts where performance is key.

at its finest

Suggests the highest level of quality or refinement, fitting for artistic or culinary contexts.

doing better than in the past

Focuses on the improvement over a longer period, useful when comparing current performance to a historical trend.

in the best condition to date

Highlights current superior condition by comparing with all past states, especially useful when talking about items or buildings.

more improved than ever

Redundancy and emphasis of improvement beyond any previous state, it is more emphatic.

performing optimally

Focuses on the efficiency and effectiveness of operations, useful in technical or scientific settings.

FAQs

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

You can use "better than ever" to describe something that has improved significantly. For example, "Since starting her new training regimen, she is "stronger than ever"" or "The new software update makes the program "more efficient than ever"".

What's a good alternative to "better than ever"?

Alternatives include "at its peak", "surpassing previous standards", or "in top form". The best choice depends on the specific context and what aspect of improvement you want to emphasize.

Is it correct to say "good than ever" instead of "better than ever"?

No, "good than ever" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "better than ever", as "better" is the comparative form of "good" and is used to indicate improvement over a previous state.

In what contexts is "better than ever" most appropriate?

The phrase "better than ever" is suitable for various contexts where improvement or peak performance is observed, such as sports, technology, health, and business. It's commonly used in news reports, product reviews, and personal testimonials to highlight positive change.