better than usual

USAGE SUMMARY

"better than usual" is correct and can be used in written English.
It should be used to compare something to what is normal or expected, and can often be used to indicate that something is of higher quality than is usual or expected. For example, "The meal I had tonight was better than usual!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Both were better than usual.

The New York Times

Business remains better than usual.

The New York Times

The Wi-Fi worked better than usual.

The New York Times

I will try to serve better than usual.

Independent

He played better than usual; caught two fly balls.

The New Yorker

And he had some good players, better than usual.

The New York Times - Sports

This year's model is surprisingly better than usual.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

There is a better-than-usual beer list.

The New York Times

It's a lovely show, a better-than-usual use of this maverick Midtown space.

The New York Times - Arts

Democrats were proud to have a better-than-usual turnout of approximately one-quarter of their eligible voters.

The New York Times

The need to shepherd these precious resources means that collaborative projects require better-than-usual project-management skills.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "better than usual" to highlight a positive deviation from a typical standard. For instance, "The customer service was better than usual, making the experience very pleasant."

Common error

Avoid using "better than usual" when describing something that is inherently absolute or superlative. For example, instead of saying "This is better than usual best", say "This is the best" or "This is better than we expected".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better than usual" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the degree to which something exceeds its normal state or performance. It provides a comparison against a baseline expectation. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "better than usual" is a versatile phrase used to denote a positive difference from a typical or expected state. Ludwig's analysis confirms that the phrase functions as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing improvement or positive deviation. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from news and media to scientific discourse. As Ludwig AI indicates, "better than usual" is grammatically correct and appropriate for comparing something to what is normal or expected, suggesting higher quality. While there are many ways to express a similar idea – such as "better than expected" or "superior to normal" – "better than usual" remains a common and effective way to convey that something has exceeded its ordinary level.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

better than expected

Highlights that something has surpassed pre-existing expectations.

superior to normal

Focuses on the comparative superiority over the standard.

exceptional compared to normal

Highlights the exceptional nature of something when contrasted with what is normal.

improved compared to the average

Highlights the improvement relative to an average benchmark.

above the expected standard

Emphasizes exceeding a predefined level of expectation.

outperforming the norm

Suggests a performance level that surpasses typical results.

exceeding typical levels

Implies a greater quantity or degree than what is normally seen.

markedly improved

Focuses on the noticeable degree of improvement.

a cut above the rest

An idiomatic expression indicating a higher quality than others.

surprisingly good

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the positive outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "better than usual" to describe something that is improved or exceeds typical expectations, such as "The quality of the product was "better than usual" this time around".

What's a good alternative to "better than usual"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "superior to normal", "improved compared to the average", or "better than expected".

When should I use "better than usual" instead of "better than expected"?

Use "better than usual" when comparing something to its typical state or performance. Use "better than expected" when something exceeds a specific prior anticipation or forecast.

Is it redundant to say "more better than usual"?

Yes, saying "more better than usual" is generally considered redundant. "Better" already implies a comparative degree, so adding "more" is unnecessary. Stick to ""better than usual"" for clarity.