better we can

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better we can" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an attempt to express a comparative idea, but it lacks proper structure. Example: "We should find a way to do better than we can currently."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"For now, there is nothing better we can do".

The New York Times

"The better we can work together on that, the better off we'll all be".

The New York Times

"The more data points" on rain, Dr. Kean said, "the better we can understand the variability".

The New York Times - Science

"If we can do a little bit better, we can make a big impact.

The New York Times

The better we can understand, the more effective we can be with our residents".

The New York Times

The more data we have, the better we can adjust those algorithms.

The Guardian

The more information we have about this project, the better we can cover it.

The Guardian - Arts

The more we know, the better we can address threats to species diversity.

Stanford University

The better we can estimate original size of discarded retouched tools, the better we can gauge curation and exploit the value of this theoretical concept.

Quaternary International

If we can get back to that, or better, we can make the domestic league respectable.

Independent

But also as graphics get better, we can be better about showing proper tackling techniques.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, restructure phrases like "better we can" to clearly express the intended comparison or condition. For example, use "the more we know, the better we can..." to establish a clear relationship between knowledge and ability.

Common error

Avoid inverting the standard subject-verb order when expressing conditional or comparative ideas. Instead of "better we can", use structures like "the better we understand, the more effectively we can act" to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better we can" functions as part of a comparative construction, though grammatically incomplete. It aims to express that an improvement in one area leads to enhanced capability in another. As Ludwig AI pointed out, this construction requires rephrasing for grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

28%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "better we can" is grammatically incorrect, yet frequently encountered across various sources, notably in News & Media and Academia. As Ludwig AI reports, this expression aims to convey a conditional relationship where improvement in one area leads to enhanced capability in another. To ensure clarity and correctness, it's best to rephrase using comparative structures such as "the better we understand, the more effectively we can act" or "the greater our ability to". While the phrase is common, authoritative sources and formal contexts necessitate grammatically sound alternatives to accurately express the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the more effectively we can

Emphasizes increased effectiveness in achieving a goal, shifting from a general ability to a specific outcome.

the greater our ability to

Focuses on expanding inherent capacity or skill, rather than a direct action or result.

the more proficiently we are able to

Highlights the level of skill or expertise achieved, suggesting a refined approach.

the deeper our understanding allows us to

Links improved comprehension to enhanced action, emphasizing knowledge as a foundation.

to the extent that we are able to improve

Introduces a conditional aspect, where improvement is framed as a limiting factor.

as we enhance our capabilities

Stresses the ongoing process of capability enhancement, focusing on development.

with improved understanding, we are able to

Highlights understanding as a facilitator for action.

the finer our grasp, the more we can

Implies a more nuanced and detailed understanding leading to enhanced possibilities.

the more skilled we become

Focuses on gaining proficiency or expertise through practice or training.

given our enhanced abilities

Posits improved abilities as a foundation for future actions or outcomes.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the idea I'm trying to express with "better we can" in a sentence?

Rephrase it using a comparative structure, such as "The more we practice, the "better we become"" or "If we improve our skills, we can achieve better results".

What's a more grammatically sound way to express the same concept as "better we can"?

Opt for structures like "the more effectively we can", which clarifies the relationship between effort and outcome, or "the greater our ability to", which focuses on enhanced capacity.

Which is the correct way to phrase this idea: "better we can understand" or "the better we can understand"?

"The better we can understand" is the correct phrasing. The word 'the' establishes a clear comparative relationship, whereas "better we can understand" is grammatically incorrect.

What are some alternatives to "better we can" when talking about improving a skill?

Consider using phrases like "enhance our abilities", "improve our proficiency", or "develop our skills" to convey the idea of skill improvement more clearly and grammatically.