better than smaller

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better than smaller" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two sizes or quantities, indicating a preference for something larger over something smaller. Example: "In terms of storage capacity, a larger hard drive is better than smaller ones."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

There are multiple reasons why big firms historically paid better than smaller ones.

Harvard Business Review

Since large loaves keep better than smaller ones, the standard loaf was four to nine pounds.

The New York Times - Food

Bigger IPOs backed by private equity did even better than smaller ones.

The Economist

If failure to borrow meant forgoing productive investments, bigger long-run deficits would actually be better than smaller ones.

The New York Times

Having a broader portfolio of assets has helped merged companies to cope with price swings better than smaller rivals.

The Economist

Larger sites also fared better than smaller plots, and the warmer the temperature, the more rapid the recovery.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

First, big companies have coped better than small ones, for whom the rules have been eased.

The Economist

He shows that big firms and their employees fared better than small firms and their employees in important dimensions.

University of California, Berkeley

And in times of economic crisis, larger-company stocks tend to do better than small-company stocks.

The New York Times

Small businesses owned by women are faring better than small businesses owned by men, according to a new report.

The New York Times

Another fallacy is that bigger teams are better than small ones because they have more resources to draw upon.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "better than smaller", ensure the context clearly defines what aspect is being compared. For example, specify if you are comparing storage capacity, financial performance, or physical dimensions.

Common error

Avoid using "better than smaller" without specifying what makes the larger item superior. For instance, instead of saying "Larger sites fared better than smaller", specify what 'fared better' means, such as "Larger sites recovered more quickly than smaller sites".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better than smaller" functions primarily as a comparative, indicating that something of a larger size or scale is considered more advantageous or desirable than its smaller counterpart. Ludwig AI affirms this usage with numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "better than smaller" is a commonly used comparative phrase, deemed grammatically correct by Ludwig AI, that expresses a preference for larger entities over smaller ones across a variety of contexts. While versatile, it's most frequently found in news, scientific, and formal business publications. Remember to always clarify the specific aspect in which the larger entity is considered "better" to avoid ambiguity. By understanding its function and typical usage, you can effectively incorporate this phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preferable to smaller

Emphasizes preference rather than inherent quality.

superior to smaller

Highlights a higher degree of quality or effectiveness compared to smaller counterparts.

larger is advantageous over smaller

Focuses on the benefits of being larger.

bigger is more effective than smaller

Highlights effectiveness based on size.

greater than smaller

A more general comparison of magnitude.

exceeds smaller

Suggests surpassing in size or scope.

outweighs smaller

Implies a comparison of importance or impact alongside size.

more substantial than smaller

Emphasizes the physical or conceptual weight of the larger item.

surpasses smaller

Indicates exceeding a limit or expectation based on size.

trumps smaller

Suggests a decisive advantage of larger over smaller.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "better than smaller" for variety?

You can use phrases like "preferable to smaller", "superior to smaller", or "larger is advantageous over smaller" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "better than smaller" always about physical size?

No, "better than smaller" can refer to various attributes beyond physical dimensions. It could relate to scope, capacity, financial strength, or any quantifiable aspect where a larger quantity or scale is deemed more beneficial. Ensure that the context makes the attribute explicit or easily inferred.

When is it not appropriate to use "better than smaller"?

It's inappropriate when the 'better' aspect isn't clearly defined or is subjective. For example, saying "Larger paintings are better than smaller" without specifying aesthetic criteria is vague. Also, avoid using it when size is irrelevant to the quality being discussed.

What are common misconceptions when using "better than smaller"?

A common misconception is assuming that larger automatically equals better in all situations. For example, a smaller, more agile team might be "better than smaller" a larger, bureaucratic one in terms of project execution speed. The "better" quality is always context-dependent.