better than once

USAGE SUMMARY

"better than once" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something has happened more than once (or more than one time). For example: "He has read the book better than once, so he should be able to answer any questions about it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

And the deal has begun to look better than once feared.

The Economist

In those limited opportunities, he has recorded 10 sacks, which means he gets a sack better than once every 10 rushes.

The New York Times - Sports

If you're looking for a real physical warm-up before you go on as Nora in A Doll's House, there's nothing better than "Once more unto the breach".

The Guardian

There has been a tendency away from this in recent years, particularly with the preponderance of back-to-back Test matches putting a strain on bowling attacks, and a tendency for pitches to hold together better than once they might.

The Guardian - Sport

This past Christmas, he proudly noted, he gave her the Rosetta Stone language program for learning Portuguese, and by March she had finished with Level 1 and begun Level 2. It turns out that with vigorous education and support, many people with Down do far better than once thought possible.

The New York Times - Magazine

A small study found that twice weekly water exercise maintained QoL better than once weekly measured by the SF-36 in a group of older adults with mobility related Activities of Daily Living dependence [ 22].

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The Mets' starting pitchers are better than once-in-a-generation, but they're also tired.

The Guardian - Sport

Never-dried cellulose is better than once-dried samples because the latter are known to irreversibly lose surface accessibility as a result of drying.

Nanoscale Research Letters

In asking, "Is More Choice Better Than Less?" the philosopher Gerald Dworkin once argued that the answer is "not always".

The New York Times

We should never forget the damage done and the lives lost, but we have a chance to do things better than we once did; be a better neighbor than we once were; and help the Haitian people realize their dream for a stronger, more secure nation.

The New York Times

Admittedly, that number is better than it once was.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the effectiveness of different approaches, use "better than once" to highlight the benefits of repetition or consistency, especially in scenarios where a single attempt might be insufficient.

Common error

Avoid using "better than once" when you actually mean "more than once". The former implies a comparison of quality or effectiveness, while the latter simply indicates frequency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better than once" functions as a comparative, indicating that doing something more than once is superior to doing it only once. This comparison often relates to effectiveness, efficiency, or overall outcome. Ludwig's examples show its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "better than once" is a grammatically sound comparative phrase that suggests doing something repeatedly is more beneficial than doing it only once. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its frequency is relatively uncommon. Usage spans across news, science, and wiki content, reflecting a neutral register. When employing this phrase, ensure you're highlighting a genuine comparison in effectiveness and not just indicating frequency. To enhance clarity, consider related phrases such as "superior to a single occurrence" or "preferable to happening only once". By understanding these nuances, you can effectively convey the advantages of repetition in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an improvement over a single time

Focuses on the "improvement" aspect, replacing "better" with it and rephrasing "once" to "a single time".

superior to a single occurrence

Replaces "better" with "superior" and "once" with "a single occurrence" for a more formal tone.

more effective than doing it once

Highlights the effectiveness, changing "better" to "more effective" and explaining "once" as "doing it once".

more desirable than just one time

Focuses on desirability, substituting "better" with "more desirable" and clarifying "once" as "just one time".

preferable to happening only once

Substitutes "better" with "preferable" and rephrases "once" to "happening only once" for clarity.

more favorable than a single try

Highlights favorability, changing "better" to "more favorable" and explaining "once" as "a single try".

exceeding a one-time event

Emphasizes exceeding a single event, using "exceeding" instead of "better" and "one-time event" for "once".

surpassing a singular occasion

Replaces "better" with "surpassing" and "once" with "a singular occasion" for a more sophisticated tone.

more advantageous than a solitary instance

Uses "more advantageous" instead of "better" and replaces "once" with "a solitary instance" for a stronger emphasis.

an edge over a solitary attempt

Uses "an edge" instead of "better" and "a solitary attempt" for "once", emphasizing a competitive advantage.

FAQs

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

You can use "better than once" to show that something is more effective or preferable when it happens multiple times compared to just a single instance. For example, "Taking medication twice a day is "better than once" a day for controlling symptoms".

What's a synonym for "better than once"?

While not a direct synonym, alternatives like "more effective than a single attempt" or "preferable to happening only once" can convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific context. Always consider the nuance you're trying to express.

Is it grammatically correct to say "better than once"?

Yes, "better than once" is grammatically correct. It's a comparative phrase used to indicate that something is more advantageous when done multiple times rather than just a single time.

When should I use "more than once" instead of "better than once"?

Use "more than once" when you simply want to state that something happened multiple times, without comparing its effectiveness to a single occurrence. For example, "I've seen that movie "more than once"", versus "Practicing daily is "better than once" a week for improving skills".