better than would be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better than would be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare a situation or outcome to a hypothetical one, suggesting that the current situation is preferable. Example: "This solution is better than would be expected given the circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

The chemical sensitivity of the TNT allows us to observe the effect of friction better than would be possible in a non-reactive material.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

Briefly, actively managed mutual funds over long periods tend to underperform the market, and, as a group, don't do markedly better than would be expected from flipping coins.

The New York Times

Relative to other states, their net approval in 2018 was much better than would be expected, based on their 2016 vote.

The Washington Post

Neither the pooled data nor any single study showed a significant increase in bone density across all four sites, and the overall number of positive results was no better than would be expected by chance.

The New York Times

Researchers at the University of Strathclyde's Fraser of Allander Institute say Scotland's economy is doing better than would be expected on the basis of its past relationship to the economy of the United Kingdom as a whole.

The Economist

Some countries, including Britain and Japan, do much better than would be expected given their GDP per person; others Saudi Arabia and Italy do worse.Some of these differences will certainly go away, says Paul Zwillenberg of BCG.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

But better than that would be "unbothered".

The Guardian

He's certainly better than I would be.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Better than what?" would be a fair reply.

The Economist

Having something better than CRISPR would be high-impact.

MIT Technology Review

The food is better than what would be expected of a music spot.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "better than would be" to compare an actual outcome against a hypothetical scenario, especially when emphasizing a positive surprise or unexpected improvement. For instance, "The project's success was "better than would be" anticipated given the initial challenges."

Common error

Avoid using "better than would be" when a simpler comparison suffices. If there's no specific hypothetical scenario in mind, "better than expected" may be more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better than would be" functions as a comparative, indicating that a particular outcome or situation is more favorable than a hypothetical or expected scenario. Ludwig AI shows this is often used to express surprise or satisfaction at results exceeding predictions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

42%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "better than would be" serves as a comparative expression indicating an outcome or situation is more favorable than initially anticipated. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in both scientific and news contexts. When writing, it's essential to consider context: if a simpler comparison suffices, alternatives like "better than expected" may be more suitable. The phrase's register is generally neutral to professional, fitting well in reports, analyses, and communications requiring a degree of formality while clearly conveying a positive comparison against a hypothetical baseline.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Better than expected

Simplifies the comparison by omitting the conditional.

Exceeds expectations

Concise way of saying something surpasses what was predicted.

Superior to what was anticipated

Formal alternative emphasizing exceeding expectations.

Outperforms predictions

Highlights surpassing a specific forecasted value or outcome.

More favorable than projected

Focuses on the positive nature of the outcome compared to a projection.

More effectively than planned

Emphasizes efficiency exceeding the initial plans.

Surpasses anticipated levels

Focuses on exceeding a certain threshold or quantity.

Beyond what was foreseen

Indicates an outcome that was not initially predicted or considered.

Advances beyond what was deemed likely

Highlights progression exceeding the assumed possibilities.

Farther along than speculated

Indicates progress or development beyond initial assumptions.

FAQs

How can I use "better than would be" in a sentence?

Use "better than would be" to show an outcome exceeded what was expected, like, "The patient's recovery was "better than would be" expected after such a severe injury".

What's a simpler way to say "better than would be"?

Alternatives include "better than expected" or "exceeds expectations", offering more concise options depending on context.

Is "better than it would be" grammatically different from "better than would be"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "better than would be" is more concise and often preferred in formal writing. "Better than it would be" might be used for emphasis or in informal contexts.

How does the formality of "better than would be" compare to other alternatives?

"Better than would be" lands in a neutral to formal register, suitable for professional or academic contexts. Simpler options like "better than expected" are appropriate for informal settings.