better than mine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better than mine" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when making a comparison between two things, or when comparing your own abilities or possessions to those of someone else. For example, "Ella's cake decorating skills are much better than mine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

1. See, for example, C.P. Lamberton and R.L. Rose, "When Is Ours Better Than Mine?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Better than mine.

The New Yorker

"It's better than mine.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Many that are better than mine.

The New York Times

Their ideas are much better than mine".

The New Yorker

Your SAT scores are better than mine.

The New York Times

My brother's guess is better than mine.

The Guardian - Music

Doona's Sonmi is better than mine".

The Guardian - Books

(Mr. Watson described Mr. Moon's performance as "better than mine").

The New York Times - Arts

I must admit, her eye was better than mine.

The New York Times

Others have surely found strategies that work better than mine.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "better than mine" to directly compare and contrast something you possess or are associated with to something else, clearly highlighting its superiority. For example, "His analysis was better than mine, so we adopted his strategy."

Common error

Avoid using "better then mine" as it confuses the comparative "than" with the adverb "then". "Than" is used for comparisons, while "then" indicates time or sequence. Always use "than" when making a comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better than mine" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to express that something belonging to or associated with someone else is superior in quality or effectiveness to something belonging to or associated with the speaker. Ludwig's examples show its wide applicability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "better than mine" is a common and grammatically correct comparative phrase used to express that something is superior to what one possesses or is associated with. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is well-accepted and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure you're using "than" for comparison and not confusing it with "then". Consider alternative phrases such as "superior to mine" or "exceeds mine" to add variety to your writing. By understanding its function and usage, you can effectively incorporate "better than mine" into your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

superior to mine

Emphasizes the higher quality or standing of something compared to what belongs to the speaker.

exceeds mine

Indicates that something surpasses the speaker's own in a particular attribute.

surpasses mine

Similar to 'exceeds mine', but may imply a greater degree of difference.

outshines mine

Suggests something is more impressive or attractive than the speaker's own.

trumps mine

Implies something definitively overcomes or defeats what the speaker has.

is of higher quality than mine

Directly states that something has a better level of quality compared to the speaker's.

is a cut above mine

Suggests a noticeable improvement or advancement over what the speaker possesses.

leaves mine in the dust

Emphasizes a significant difference in performance or quality, implying the speaker's item is far behind.

puts mine to shame

Indicates something is so good that it makes the speaker's own seem inadequate.

makes mine pale in comparison

Highlights a stark difference in impressiveness, making the speaker's own seem weak by comparison.

FAQs

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

You can use "better than mine" to compare something you own or have done to something else, indicating the latter is superior. For example, "Her solution was "better than mine", so we used it."

What phrases are similar to "better than mine"?

Similar phrases include "superior to mine", "exceeds mine", or "outshines mine", all of which indicate a higher quality or standard compared to something you possess.

Is it correct to say "better then mine" instead of "better than mine"?

No, "better then mine" is incorrect. The correct phrase is ""better than mine"", using "than" for comparison, not "then" which refers to time.

What's the difference between "better than mine" and "better than me"?

"Better than mine" compares something belonging to you, while "better than me" compares abilities or qualities directly. For example, "Her car is "better than mine"" (comparing cars), but "She is better than me at tennis" (comparing skills).