better well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better well" is not correct and not commonly used in written English.
It may be intended to convey a sense of improvement or doing something in a more effective manner, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "I hope you feel better well soon." (This is incorrect; it should be "better soon.")

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

And if you're just young and think you could do better, well then it's a song for you as well.

The Guardian - Music

That is also one of the very few situations where I resent not being better well off.

The Guardian

They're Having Sex!' You can have classic tabloid sex and violence, but better, well written, and accurate.

The New Yorker

Whenever somebody comes along and says, in print, that there might be something better – well, that's scary.

The New York Times

A: Better to go into the hootch, sir, and keep contentment in the squad, and keep a better — well, how can I explain it?

The New Yorker

People who are going round giving grammar advice particularly on the passive voice had better well know what the passive voice is.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The sector also tends to support better, well-paid jobs than others that are locally available - and it's where the skills are.

The Guardian

We could all benefit from a better, well-researched understanding of our sex lives, which might be possible if authorised, accredited sexual researchers were allowed to ethically examine the system's results – only with users' consent, of course.

The Guardian - Opinion

The visibility of walkable routes in geographical maps is strongly associated with better well-being and higher quality of life in cities [1, 2].

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

And it turns out, that giving spirit could result in better well-being for Santa himself.

Huffington Post

However, there is tremendous value in creating better, well-coordinated opportunities for partnership.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and correctness, replace "better well" with more established phrases like "much better", "considerably better", or rephrase your sentence to eliminate the need for this construction altogether. For example, instead of saying 'He needs to perform better well', opt for 'He needs to perform much better'.

Common error

A common error is placing "well" directly after "better" in an attempt to intensify the adjective. To avoid this, use alternatives that correctly intensify the meaning, such as "much better" or "significantly better", which maintain grammatical accuracy and improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better well" functions primarily as an attempt to modify an adjective with an adverb, aiming to intensify the sense of improvement. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is not grammatically correct in standard English, even though some examples exist.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "better well" appears in some contexts, it's not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Ludwig AI indicates that it's better to opt for more established alternatives like "much better" or "significantly improved". The phrase primarily serves to intensify the sense of improvement, but its usage is infrequent and leans towards informal contexts. Therefore, writers should exercise caution and prefer clearer, more precise language to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more proficiently

Emphasizes enhanced skill or expertise in performing a task.

considerably improved

Highlights a notable degree of enhancement or progress.

markedly enhanced

Stresses a significant and obvious improvement.

much more skilled

Focuses on the person's increased ability or expertise.

considerably more effective

Stresses the increased effectiveness or usefulness.

substantially enhanced

Indicates a major or significant positive change.

notably upgraded

Emphasizes the upgrade or enhancement that is visible.

better equipped

Highlights improved readiness or capability through enhancements.

more expertly

Focuses on the skill and precision involved in the improvement.

remarkably improved

Emphasizes how the improvement has been so good as to be noticed or commented on.

FAQs

Is "better well" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "better well" is not considered standard English. While it appears in some contexts, it's advisable to use more conventional alternatives like "much better" or "significantly better" to ensure clarity and correctness.

What are some alternatives to "better well"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "more proficiently", "considerably improved", or "better equipped". These alternatives provide clearer and more grammatically sound ways to express improvement or competence.

When can I use "better well" in a sentence?

While not technically correct, the phrase "better well" occasionally surfaces in informal contexts. However, for professional or academic writing, it's best to avoid it and opt for grammatically accepted alternatives like "considerably more effective".

How can I improve my writing to avoid using phrases like "better well"?

Focus on using clear and precise language. Instead of "better well", try using adverbs that correctly modify adjectives, such as "much", "significantly", or "considerably". Reviewing grammar resources can also help ensure accuracy and improve the overall quality of your writing.