better than ones

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better than ones" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to compare something to unspecified items or alternatives, but it lacks clarity and specificity. Example: "These shoes are better than ones I owned before."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

But suppliers with more commercial work will do better than ones mostly focused on military systems.

The New York Times

Indeed, booming demand for planes from emerging Asia and elsewhere has kept its factories, and those of its suppliers, going at full tilt.Generally, such globalised firms have fared a lot better than ones more dependent on Europe (see chart 3).

The Economist

He also longed to test drugs against one another to make sure that any new drug functioned better than ones already approved.

The New York Times - Health

There is a case to be made that homogeneous organisations can do better than ones with diverse workforces, for example.

The Economist

"They will readily cite you past precedent; often their records were better than ones I could access".

The New York Times

I asked Silberstein if this meant that the brain's natural painkillers were better than ones bought over the counter.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Their winning slogan: "Two Heads Are Better Than One".

The New York Times

He did Cube, Hypnotic Tango, and Two Heads Are Better Than One.

Vice

Two is better than one".

The New York Times - Sports

Two fingers were better than one.

The New York Times - Magazine

What's better than one Thai restaurant?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing items, clarify the specific group you are comparing to. Instead of "better than ones", specify "better than those" or "better than the alternatives".

Common error

Avoid using "better than ones" because it is grammatically incorrect and vague. Always specify what you are comparing something to for clarity and correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better than ones" functions as a comparative, aiming to express superiority. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically flawed due to the indefinite pronoun "ones". Proper usage requires specifying the items being compared.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "better than ones" is frequently used, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights this issue. For clear and correct writing, replace it with phrases like "better than those" or "superior to others". Although commonly found in news and media sources, it is best to avoid this phrase in formal and scientific writing to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

better than those

This is a grammatically correct alternative, specifying a comparison to particular items.

superior to others

This alternative replaces "better than ones" with a more grammatically sound and formal comparison.

more effective than others

Replaces "better" with "more effective", adding specificity to the comparison and correcting grammar.

preferable to others

This alternative uses "preferable" instead of "better", emphasizing choice or desirability.

an improvement over others

Focuses on the aspect of improvement relative to alternatives, fixing the grammatical issue.

exceeding others in quality

This is a more descriptive phrase that clarifies the nature of the comparison in terms of quality.

outperforming others

This alternative is suitable when discussing performance or capability.

surpassing similar alternatives

Emphasizes the act of exceeding expectations compared to similar options.

doing a better job than alternatives

Specifies action and performance, using "alternatives" to provide clarity.

more advantageous than similar options

Highlights the benefits or advantages over comparable choices.

FAQs

What's wrong with the phrase "better than ones"?

The phrase "better than ones" is grammatically incorrect. It lacks a clear referent for the comparison. Use alternatives like "better than those" or "superior to others".

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

Ensure you specify what you are comparing. For example, instead of "This product is better than ones", say "This product is "better than those" we previously tested".

What are some alternatives to "better than ones" in formal writing?

In formal writing, use phrases such as "superior to others", "more effective than others", or "preferable to others" for clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Is "better than one" the same as "better than ones"?

"Better than one" and "better than ones" have different meanings. "Better than one" implies an advantage over a single item or situation, while "better than ones" is grammatically incorrect and usually intended to compare against multiple, unspecified items. You might consider "better than those" when you mean multiple items.