certainly better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certainly better" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong affirmation that something is improved or superior compared to another option or situation. Example: "After reviewing the two proposals, I believe the second one is certainly better in terms of cost-effectiveness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And certainly better food".

The New York Times

That's certainly better than nothing.

The New York Times

Certainly better than "Desperate Housewives".

The New Yorker

It's certainly better than average".

The Guardian

They are certainly better off.

The Guardian

Certainly better than Timothy Dalton.

The New Yorker

Its problems were certainly better anticipated.

The Economist

He's certainly better than I would be.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And the food is certainly better".

The New York Times - Style

And it's certainly better than nothing".

The New York Times

It's certainly better than Lucas's explanation: "Uh, yeah, stuff".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing options, use "certainly better" to clearly express a definitive preference or improvement. For example, "Choosing Option A is "certainly better" than Option B because it addresses key issues more effectively."

Common error

Avoid using "certainly better" when expressing purely subjective opinions where objective comparison is not possible. Instead of saying "Vanilla ice cream is "certainly better"", which is subjective, use a more appropriate phrase like "I prefer vanilla ice cream."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certainly better" functions as an intensifier (certainly) modifying an adjective (better). It indicates a strong degree of improvement or superiority. Ludwig shows many examples where this phrase is used to make definitive comparisons.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "certainly better" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a strong preference or improvement. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its widespread use across diverse sources, including news, academia, and business. The phrase functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective, serving to confidently assert the superior nature of something. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse in purely subjective contexts. Alternatives like "undeniably superior" or "definitely improved" can provide nuanced emphasis. Ludwig provides numerous examples to illustrate effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undeniably superior

Replaces "certainly" with "undeniably" for stronger emphasis.

definitely improved

Substitutes "better" with "improved", focusing on the act of betterment.

assuredly superior

Emphasizes confidence in superiority by using "assuredly".

inarguably better

Highlights the lack of argument against its superior state.

unquestionably superior

Similar to "undeniably", but with a focus on the absence of questions.

distinctly better

Focuses on the clarity and obviousness of the improvement.

noticeably improved

Highlights that the improvement is easily observed.

patently better

Implies that the superior nature is evident and obvious.

decidedly superior

Indicates a clear and definite advantage.

easily surpasses

Shifts the focus to surpassing a previous state, using a verb.

FAQs

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

"Certainly better" is used to express a clear improvement or preference. For instance, "The updated design is "certainly better" than the previous one in terms of user experience."

What are some alternatives to saying "certainly better"?

You can use alternatives like "undeniably superior", "definitely improved", or "assuredly superior" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "certainly better" in formal writing?

Yes, "certainly better" is suitable for formal writing when you need to express a clear and justified preference or improvement. Ensure the context supports the assertion with evidence or reasoning.

What's the difference between "certainly better" and "slightly better"?

"Certainly better" implies a significant and noticeable improvement, while "slightly better" indicates a marginal difference. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the degree of improvement you are describing.