better the proposition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better the proposition" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing the improvement or enhancement of a proposal or idea, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "To ensure a successful outcome, we need to better the proposition before presenting it to the board."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The better the quality of the database, he believes, the better the proposition for users and advertisers.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Furthermore, the increase in genome sampling can help to better elaborate the proposition of conservation measures for this important species from southern Brazil.

Applications in Plant Sciences

The discount is by far the better proposition, but the supposedly clever students viewed them as equivalent.Studies have shown other ways in which retailers can exploit consumers' innumeracy.

The Economist

Better yet, test the proposition of punctuation by examining the placement of laughter in conversation around you, focusing on the placement of ha-ha laughs.

The Guardian - Books

There are few better examples of the proposition that studying rare genetic disorders can illuminate important biological pathways than research into Fanconi anemia, which has identified several genes important for DNA repair.

Nature

There could hardly have been anyone in Iraq whose credentials, both moral and scientific, were better suited for making the proposition a success.

The New York Times - Science

There is no better cautionary tale to the proposition that no matter how abundant something is — be it fuel, water, or an organism — we can lose it if we are not good stewards.

Yale University

"Everyone thinks they can write the better proposition, but no matter how you write it, somebody is always going to be unhappy, unless you write it like they do in the state, where no one can understand it," Mr. Sabatino said.

The New York Times

"But for us, being the first and indeed only Paralympic exclusive sponsor, focusing on the messages at a local level in our stores has been by far the better proposition for our business".

BBC

True naturals are the people on whom the organic food industry has been built, the outwardly directed, socially conscious consumers devoted to the proposition of "better food for a better planet".

The New York Times - Magazine

Given the better value proposition, it's no surprise that HVLP clubs are increasingly becoming the dominant competitors in the health club market.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, consider using more common alternatives such as "improve the proposal" or "enhance the suggestion" instead of the less conventional "better the proposition".

Common error

While stylistic variation can enrich writing, using uncommon phrases like "better the proposition" too frequently may detract from clarity and reader comprehension. Reserve such phrasing for specific contexts where it adds unique value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better the proposition" functions as a verb phrase where "better" acts as a transitive verb, taking "the proposition" as its object. Although Ludwig AI indicates it's not standard, it conveys the action of improving or enhancing a proposal.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

25%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "better the proposition" is a less common way to express the idea of improving or enhancing a proposal, suggestion, or offer. Ludwig AI identifies it as a non-standard construction, suggesting that more common alternatives like "improve the proposal" might be preferable for clarity. While it appears across different contexts, including news, science, academia, and business, its rarity suggests that it should be used judiciously. The phrase's function is to encourage refinement, and its register is generally neutral. When writing, consider the context and audience to determine if a more conventional phrasing would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improve the proposal

Focuses on enhancing the existing suggestion or plan.

refine the offer

Implies a more meticulous and detailed improvement of the offer.

enhance the suggestion

Highlights the act of making the suggestion more appealing or effective.

strengthen the argument

Emphasizes making the case or reasoning more robust and persuasive.

develop the idea further

Suggests expanding and elaborating on the concept.

advance the motion

Related to formal proceedings, implying to move the proposition forward.

boost the recommendation

Focuses on improving the impact or effectiveness of the recommendation.

upgrade the scheme

Implies modernizing or improving an existing plan or system.

ameliorate the position

Uses a more formal tone, referring to making the situation or stance better.

revamp the concept

Suggests a complete overhaul or redesign of the initial concept.

FAQs

What does "better the proposition" mean?

The phrase "better the proposition" means to improve or enhance a suggestion, plan, or offer to make it more appealing or effective. It implies taking action to make something that has been proposed superior to its current state.

How can I use "better the proposition" in a sentence?

While not a standard phrase, you could say, "To ensure a successful outcome, we need to better the proposition before presenting it to the board." However, consider using more common alternatives like "improve the proposal".

What are some alternatives to "better the proposition"?

Alternatives include "refine the offer", "enhance the suggestion", or "strengthen the argument". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "better the proposition" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "better the proposition" is not a standard or common grammatical construction. It's more typical to say "improve the proposition." Using "better" as a verb in this way is less frequent than using it as an adjective or adverb.