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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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better while

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better while" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a comparison or improvement over time, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "I feel better while exercising regularly."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Our players did better while they failed".

News & Media

The New York Times

He also said NPR would evaluate content and what could work better, while addressing revenue.

News & Media

The New York Times

What's better?" While safeties produce only 2 points, they can have dramatic consequences.

He tilted his head to see it better, while trying not to seem obvious.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Some analysts had expected better while others had feared a steeper drop.

News & Media

The New York Times

"We've actually played better while we're down people than when we have everyone available.

The problem was, I didn't feel better while I was taking it.

THE PROGRESS PARADOX: How Life Gets Better While People Feel Worse, by Gregg Easterbrook.

News & Media

The New York Times

But the main rivals got better while the Fusion drifted to the sidelines.

News & Media

The New York Times

North Koreans know well that South Koreans live much better, while their own government demands constant sacrifice.

News & Media

The New York Times

I thought it better while I was younger, and had the flexibility to take time off at work.

News & Media

Independent
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "better while" with phrases like "improves as" or "is enhanced during" to ensure grammatical correctness and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "better while" to directly compare two scenarios; instead, use clearer comparative constructions such as "better than" or "more effective than" for accurate comparisons.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

80%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better while" functions as a conjunction aiming to connect two clauses, implying a relationship where improvement occurs simultaneously with another event. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is not grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

36%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "better while" is frequently used across various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. However, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect. The intended meaning is to show a correlation between an improvement and an ongoing action, but clearer alternatives like "improves as" or "is enhanced during" are preferable for ensuring grammatical accuracy and avoiding ambiguity. While common, especially in news and scientific articles, careful writers should opt for more precise language.

FAQs

How can I rewrite a sentence using "better while" to be grammatically correct?

Replace "better while" with phrases like "improves as" or "is enhanced during". For instance, instead of "It gets better while it ages", try "It "improves as" it ages".

What does "better while" imply in a sentence?

The phrase "better while" suggests that something improves or is enhanced concurrently with another action or condition. However, it's not grammatically correct, and it's "improves as" or "is enhanced during".

Which phrase is more grammatically sound, "better while" or "improves as"?

"Improves as" is grammatically sound. "Better while" is not considered grammatically correct, making ""improves as"" the better choice.

In what contexts is the phrase "better while" most often used?

The phrase "better while" appears in a variety of contexts, including news, scientific articles, and general discussions. However, it is important to note that its usage is often grammatically questionable, making alternatives "improves as" preferable.

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Source & Trust

80%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: