better to trust than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better to trust than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the merits of trust in comparison to other options or actions. Example: "In uncertain situations, it's often better to trust than to doubt the intentions of others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Is it better to trust than not?

Harvard Business Review

I decided it is better to trust than fear.

Independent

"Who better to trust than someone with the last name Zuckerberg?" That alone would have raised her profile in Silicon Valley, but the natural performer in Ms. Zuckerberg also refused to be squelched.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He also defended Mr. Leibell's hiring of a staff member to serve as the general contractor, saying, "Who better to trust with something than someone whose work and work ethic you not only know, but have helped develop".

The New York Times

It is better to trust a network than to trust yourself.

TechCrunch

And who better to trust and take advice from than those with direct experience ― other travelers who've done it right.

HuffPost

Rafferty's workplace mantra has been "it is better to be trusted than to be liked".

Huffington Post

You may want to respond that you have better reason to trust scientists than theologians, because scientists work from observation and reason and presumably theologians do not (this latter point is actually highly questionable and we will come back to it).

Huffington Post

But I knew better than to trust the images.

The New York Times - Magazine

We know better than to trust our spouse's intuition, our broker's investment advice, our boss's hiring decisions, and yet we do it all the time.

The New York Times

David Smith When Ria, 12, an illiterate maid's daughter, suddenly developed a giant lump in her abdomen, her mother knew better than to trust India's publicly run hospital system.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "better to trust than", ensure the comparison is clear. Specify what the alternative to trusting is to provide context and make your statement more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "better to trust than" as a blanket statement. Always consider the specific situation and potential risks, as blind trust can lead to negative outcomes. A balanced approach is crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better to trust than" functions as a comparative expression, primarily used to suggest that trusting is the preferred or more advantageous option compared to an alternative action, such as doubting, fearing, or mistrusting. Ludwig AI confirms this usage pattern.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "better to trust than" is a grammatically sound comparative expression that suggests trust is preferable to a specified alternative. While Ludwig AI validates its correctness, its frequency is rare. The phrase is commonly found in news and media, and formal business contexts, serving to persuade or advise a trusting approach. However, the choice to trust should be weighed against the specific circumstances to prevent blindly overgeneralizing the benefits of trust.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prefer to trust over

Emphasizes a preference for trust, highlighting a deliberate choice.

more beneficial to trust than

Focuses on the advantages of trusting compared to alternatives.

it is wiser to trust than

Highlights the wisdom and prudence of choosing trust.

safer to trust than

Emphasizes the security aspect of trusting versus other actions.

more advantageous to trust than

Focuses on the benefits and gains from trusting.

it is more prudent to trust than

Highlights careful and wise decision-making in choosing trust.

it is preferable to trust than

Indicates a general liking for trust over other options.

choose to trust rather than

Emphasizes the active decision to trust instead of another action.

find it better to trust than

Highlights the personal experience and discovery of trust's value.

lean towards trust rather than

Suggests a tendency to favor trust over other options.

FAQs

How can I use "better to trust than" in a sentence?

You can use "better to trust than" to express a preference for trusting someone or something over another course of action. For example, "In many business negotiations, it's "better to trust than" to constantly suspect deception".

What is a good alternative to the phrase "better to trust than"?

Alternatives include "prefer to trust over", "more beneficial to trust than", or "wiser to trust than", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always "better to trust than" to do something else?

No, it's not always the better option. The appropriateness of trusting depends heavily on the context, the trustworthiness of the other party, and the potential risks involved. Sometimes, skepticism or caution may be "more appropriate than" immediate trust.

When is it not "better to trust than"?

It's often not "better to trust than" when dealing with unknown entities, situations involving high stakes, or when there are clear red flags indicating potential deception or harm. In such cases, caution and verification are "more prudent".