better than previous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better than previous" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare two things, such as "This year's class performed better than the previous year's class on the standardized test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It's actually significantly better than previous results.

The New York Times - Science

Rather better than previous home secretaries.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Probably he's defending a little bit better than previous years.

The Guardian - Sport

Skeptics, however, warn that the current inexperienced council may not fare any better than previous officials.

The New York Times

This revolving crop of players has done so much better than previous Patriots teams.

The New York Times - Sports

We want to eat better than previous generations, but we revere what those generations ate.

The Guardian

But he didn't explain how such an effort would fare better than previous attempts at diplomacy.

The New Yorker

Why does Coates think this endeavour can work any better than previous efforts?

Independent

Ashley Rawlings, the director of Blum & Poe's Tokyo office, said sales were "better than previous years".

The New York Times - Arts

Applied to data since the 1960s, his measure was found to predict share prices better than previous methods.

The Economist

Several heavily promoted artificial spinal disks, claimed by their makers to be major innovations, proved no better than previous ones.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "better than previous", ensure that the comparison is clear and specific. Define what aspects are improved and what the previous state was.

Common error

Avoid using "better than previous" without clearly stating what is being compared. For example, instead of saying "The new model is better than previous", specify "The new model's battery life is better than previous models".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better than previous" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to modify a noun (often implied) by indicating that it surpasses a prior state or instance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

46%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "better than previous" is a grammatically sound and commonly used comparative phrase. It serves to indicate an improvement or advancement over a prior state, as validated by Ludwig AI. Found predominantly in News & Media and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse writing styles. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what aspect is improved. For alternatives, consider "superior to before" or ""improved compared to the last"" for enhanced precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

superior to before

Emphasizes superiority over a past state, highlighting a clear advantage.

improved compared to the last

Focuses on the aspect of improvement relative to a specific prior instance.

exceeding prior results

Highlights the act of surpassing previous outcomes, often in a measurable way.

outperforming previous

Implies a competitive context where one thing does better than what came before.

a step up from previous

Suggests a clear advancement or upgrade from a prior version or state.

an upgrade compared to the previous

Implies a deliberate change or modification that results in a better outcome.

surpassing expectations compared to the last

Emphasizes that results have exceeded what was anticipated based on prior performance.

better than in the past

Focuses on a generalized improvement over a period of time.

more advanced than before

Highlights the concept of progress and enhanced capabilities compared to an earlier state.

progressing beyond what has been done

Focuses on the act of moving forward and exceeding established achievements.

FAQs

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

You can use "better than previous" to compare the current state or performance with what came before. For example, "This year's sales are "better than previous" years", indicating an improvement in sales figures.

What's a simple alternative to "better than previous"?

A simpler alternative is "superior to before", which directly expresses that something is of higher quality or performance compared to a past state.

Is it always necessary to specify what is "better than previous"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying what aspect is "better than previous" improves clarity. Instead of simply stating "The update is better than previous", clarifying with "The update is "improved compared to the last" version in terms of speed" provides more context.

How does "better than previous" compare to "exceeding prior results"?

"Better than previous" is a general comparison, while "exceeding prior results" specifically implies that measurable outcomes have surpassed past achievements. The latter is more suitable when quantifiable data is involved.