better than needed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better than needed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that exceeds the required or expected level of quality or performance. Example: "The software update provided features that were better than needed for our current project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"What better reason than needing to achieve his father's vision and ensure David Miliband did not traduce it?

The Guardian

The food at the Waverly was basic and better than it needed to be.

The New York Times - Food

Like the album, the concert was much better than it needed to be.

The New York Times - Arts

He's the reason that 44 in the Royalton Hotel was always a lot better than it needed to be.

The New York Times - Food

Saturday's first set ended with a version of "Whipping Post" that was far better than it needed to be, layered and alive.

The New York Times - Arts

Not good enough, perhaps, to be remembered apart from who he was, but given who he was, better than he needed to be.

The New Yorker

The session was loose and laid-back, and Badu couldn't help getting inspired to make each snippet better than it needed to be.

The New Yorker

From the applied perspective, our detection level is well within or better than that needed for real world use.

Plosone

They're better than they need to be.

The New York Times - Arts

It has the inward delight of a song that is better than it needs to be.

The New Yorker

Service is warm and practiced, the food about three times better than it needs to be.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "better than needed" to emphasize that something not only meets but exceeds expectations, suggesting an element of surprise or added value. For example, "The service was better than needed, making the experience truly memorable."

Common error

Avoid using "better than needed" in very informal settings where simpler terms like "great" or "excellent" would be more appropriate. The phrase carries a slightly formal tone and might sound out of place in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better than needed" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a quality exceeding what is required or expected. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "better than needed" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes something exceeding expectations or requirements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, from news and media to scientific discussions. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys a sense of surplus quality or unexpected benefit. Alternative phrases include "exceeding requirements" and "more than necessary". When using it, remember it implies a positive tone but is best used in neutral to formal settings rather than very casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeding requirements

Highlights that something goes beyond what is strictly required.

better than expected

Emphasizes that something surpasses what was initially thought.

surpassing expectations

Emphasizes that something is better than what was anticipated.

more than necessary

Focuses on exceeding the required amount or degree.

more than sufficient

Indicates an amount or quality that is ample or abundant.

above and beyond

Suggests an extra effort or quality that goes beyond the norm.

unnecessarily good

Implies that something is better than it needs to be, perhaps surprisingly so.

a cut above

Highlights something that's noticeably superior in quality.

gratuitously excellent

Highlights the unexpected or perhaps excessive level of excellence.

overqualified

Describes someone who has more skills or experience than a job requires.

FAQs

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

Use "better than needed" to describe situations where something exceeds the requirements or expectations, implying a positive surprise or added value. For example, "The quality of the materials was "better than needed" for this project."

What are some alternatives to "better than needed"?

Alternatives include "exceeding expectations", "more than necessary", or "above and beyond". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always a positive thing for something to be "better than needed"?

While generally positive, something being "better than needed" can sometimes be inefficient or wasteful if the extra quality or features aren't utilized or appreciated. It depends on the specific context and whether the additional benefits justify any extra costs or effort.

What's the difference between "better than needed" and "good enough"?

"Good enough" implies meeting the minimum requirements, while "better than needed" suggests surpassing those requirements. "Better than needed" implies a higher standard or additional benefits that go beyond mere adequacy.