better the standard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better the standard" is not commonly used in written English and may be unclear without context.
It could be used in discussions about improving quality or expectations, but it would need additional context to convey a clear meaning. Example: "To ensure customer satisfaction, we must better the standard of our services."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The alternative is not much better — the standard adult dress shirt has so much excess fabric that, when a short man wears it tucked in, it creates the impression that he is wearing a diaper under his trousers.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In a zone of hard indeterminacy, it is false that the legal careers are better than the standard and false that the standard is better than the legal careers (1997, 73, 76).

SEP

There is an intermediate zone of legal careers that are not better than the standard and such that the standard is not better than the legal careers.

SEP

In a zone of soft indeterminacy, it is neither true nor false that the legal careers are better than the standard and neither true nor false that the standard is better than the legal careers (1997, 76).

SEP

But all were better than the standard knock-knock fare.

Independent

"What they are doing is so much better than the standard Scottish housing," he enthuses.

The Guardian - Travel

better than the standard V-6 in both types of driving.

The New York Times

The product it served was, and remains, better than the standard offering of the British high street.

The Guardian - Opinion

Several of the Applegate meats -- coppa, pepperoni, Genoa salami and pancetta -- were much better than the standard varieties.

The New York Times - Food

Even if a new treatment proves to be better than the standard, it may not work for every patient.

The New York Times - Health

I imagine their longevity is better than the standard ones," says Jack Saltman, 80, a retired TV producer.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "better the standard", ensure the context clearly indicates what 'standard' you are referring to. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "better the standard" without specifying the standard in question. The phrase can be unclear if the reader doesn't know what benchmark is being improved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better the standard" functions as a comparative expression, indicating an intention or action to improve upon an existing benchmark or expectation. While not grammatically incorrect, Ludwig indicates it is not a commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "better the standard" is a relatively uncommon expression used to convey the act of improving or surpassing a set benchmark. While not incorrect, Ludwig indicates it's not frequently used, and it may benefit from being replaced with clearer alternatives such as "improve the standard" or "raise the bar", particularly in formal contexts. The expression finds its niche in news and scientific domains, where the concept of improvement is pertinent. When using the phrase, ensure the context provides a clear reference to the specific standard being discussed to avoid ambiguity. While "better the standard" is acceptable, prioritizing clarity with more common alternatives will usually result in improved communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Improve the standard

Direct replacement focusing on the action of making better.

Raise the bar

Idiomatic expression indicating an increase in expectations or requirements.

Elevate the benchmark

A more formal substitute, suggesting an increase in a measure of quality.

Enhance the norm

Focuses on improving what is considered typical or usual.

Surpass the criteria

Emphasizes exceeding established metrics or conditions.

Exceed expectations

Highlights going beyond what is anticipated or predicted.

Outperform the average

Implies achieving results that are above the typical level.

Advance the level

Suggests moving the current state to a higher position.

Refine the quality

Emphasizes making specific improvements to enhance value.

Amplify the caliber

Suggests an increase in general quality or level of excellence.

FAQs

What does "better the standard" mean?

The phrase "better the standard" means to improve upon or exceed a current level of expectation or quality. A more common phrasing is to "improve the standard".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "better the standard"?

It is appropriate to use "better the standard" when discussing surpassing existing benchmarks or elevating levels of performance. However, consider using more common alternatives for clarity.

What are some alternatives to "better the standard"?

Some alternatives include "raise the bar", "improve the standard", or "exceed expectations". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

You can use "better the standard" in a sentence by stating that an action or quality surpasses an existing benchmark; for example, "Our goal is to better the standard of customer service."