by better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by better" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express improvement or enhancement, but it lacks proper context and structure. Example: "We can achieve our goals by better planning and execution."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This is partly explained by better testing.

The Economist

And by "better terms" they mean …?

The Guardian

Damages might be reduced by better planning, Dr. Wilhite said.

The New York Times - Science

That depends on what you mean by better.

The New York Times

More resources must be matched by better performance.

The Guardian

By better I mean smart and fashionable, not safe.

The New York Times

Many scientists believe that huge gains can still be reaped by better efficiency and conservation.

The New York Times

"For my game to be better, I need to be surrounded by better players than me.

The Guardian - Sport

He added that the utility could avoid requiring a rate increase by better economizing current revenues.

The New York Times

Second, many problems can and should be solved by better policies (including in the EU).

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Dynamic new firms are stifled by better-connected incumbents.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express improvement, replace "by better" with phrases like "through improved planning" or "via enhanced strategies" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "by better" as a standalone phrase; instead, clarify what specific action or element is being improved. For example, instead of saying "results improved by better," specify "results improved by better resource allocation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by better" functions as a prepositional phrase that attempts to modify a verb or noun, expressing the means by which an action is performed or a state is achieved. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this phrase often lacks grammatical correctness and clarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

27%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "by better" appears frequently across various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect and often lacking clarity. Its communicative purpose is to indicate improvement, but its vague nature necessitates more precise phrasing. For enhanced clarity and grammatical correctness, consider alternatives like "through improved", "via enhancement", or "with superior". While it appears in neutral contexts like news and media, avoid it in formal writing to ensure precision. Therefore, while common, it's best to replace "by better" with more descriptive alternatives for clarity and grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through improvement

Replaces the preposition "by" with "through" and uses the noun "improvement" for a more direct expression of enhancement.

via enhancement

Uses "via" instead of "by", paired with the noun "enhancement" to denote a means of achieving a better state.

with improved

Employs "with" and the adjective "improved" to indicate a characteristic or quality that leads to a better outcome.

through enhanced

Combines "through" with the adjective "enhanced" to specify a process that increases quality or effectiveness.

using superior

Replaces "better" with "superior" and uses "using" to emphasize the instrumentality of something of higher quality.

by means of upgraded

Uses "by means of" to introduce the idea of an upgrade that leads to improvement.

with the aid of refined

Highlights the assistance of something refined in achieving a better state.

by virtue of advanced

Indicates that improvement is achieved because of something advanced or more sophisticated.

owing to higher-quality

Explains that a better state is a direct result of higher quality.

through the application of refined

Emphasizes the intentional use of something refined to create a better outcome.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the idea of improvement in a sentence?

Instead of "by better", consider using phrases like "through improved methods", "via enhanced strategies", or "with improved planning" to clearly convey how something is being enhanced.

What phrases can replace "by better" to indicate a means of improvement?

Alternatives include "through improvement", "via enhancement", or "with superior techniques" to specify the mechanism of enhancement.

Is "by better" grammatically correct in formal writing?

In formal writing, "by better" is often considered grammatically weak. Opt for stronger, more precise alternatives such as "through the application of refined methods" or "owing to higher quality standards" to maintain clarity and professionalism.

What's the difference between using "by better" and "through improved"?

"By better" is often vague and lacks a clear subject. "Through improved" is more explicit, indicating that a specific action or characteristic has been enhanced, leading to a better outcome.