better-

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "better-" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a prefix to form comparative adjectives or adverbs, indicating an improvement or superiority in quality or condition. Example: "I believe this solution is better-suited for our needs than the previous one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No deal is better than a bad deal.

The New York Times

This is because building better infrastructure helps create jobs, building a stronger economy for us all.

The Guardian

Fail better".

The New York Times

I couldn't have said it better myself.

The New York Times

"We can do better than that.

The New York Times

It is making things worse, not better.

The Guardian

Interested in finding out more about how you can live better?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Better get used to it.

The New York Times

Nine belong to a parliamentary association that wants the teaching of history in schools to give a better gloss to Japan's militarist era".

The New York Times

This is much better.

The New York Times - Sports

The reason for this conflict, Schelling explained, was that not wearing a helmet conferred a slight advantage on the ice; crucially, it gave the player better peripheral vision, and it also made him look fearless.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "better-" to form comparative adjectives or adverbs that clearly indicate an improvement or a more desirable quality, such as "better-suited" or "better-prepared".

Common error

Avoid using "better-" when a simple adjective or adverb would suffice. For example, instead of "better management", consider just using "improved management" if no comparison is being made.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "better-" is to act as a prefix, modifying the meaning of the word it precedes. According to Ludwig, this prefix typically forms comparative adjectives or adverbs, indicating improvement or superiority. Ludwig AI provides examples where it is used to enhance or intensify the meaning of the base word.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "better-" functions as a prefix used to create comparative adjectives and adverbs, denoting improvement or superiority. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English, highlighting its frequent use across diverse contexts such as News & Media and Formal & Business. The examples from Ludwig demonstrate its versatility in forming phrases like "better-suited" and "better-prepared". While generally hyphenated when used as a prefix, avoid using it in non-comparative contexts where a simple adjective would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improved

Indicates a state of being enhanced or made more desirable than before; direct synonym.

superior

Denotes a higher quality or rank compared to something else, indicating an advantage.

enhanced

Similar to improved, but often implies a more significant or technologically advanced upgrade.

more effective

Focuses on the increased ability to produce a desired result, highlighting practical improvement.

more desirable

Highlights the increased attractiveness or preference compared to an alternative.

favorable

Indicates a more advantageous or positive condition, often in a comparative context.

preferable

Emphasizes that something is more suitable or liked, making it a better choice.

more advanced

Suggests progress or innovation, indicating a state beyond the current standard.

higher quality

Directly refers to a superior standard of excellence or grade.

refined

Suggests a more polished or sophisticated version, often implying elegance or precision.

FAQs

How can I use "better-" in a sentence?

Use "better-" as a prefix to form comparative adjectives or adverbs. For instance, "This is a "better-quality" product" or "We need "better-defined" goals".

What are some alternatives to phrases starting with "better-"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "improved", "superior", or "enhanced" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always necessary to hyphenate after "better"?

Yes, when "better" is used as a prefix to form a compound adjective or adverb, it should generally be hyphenated. For example, "better-informed decision".

When is it incorrect to use "better-"?

It is incorrect to use "better-" when you are not forming a comparative adjective or adverb. In cases where you simply mean 'good' or 'improved', using just the adjective might be "more appropriate".