close to better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to better" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where one is comparing something that is nearly improved or approaching a better state, but it lacks clarity. Example: "The new policy is close to better, but it still needs some adjustments to be truly effective."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Nothing has come close to better marrying music and story, and in my opinion nothing ever will.

The New York Times

Put your slave ass in the trunk The fever lasted two days, but it took a week before he was close to better, before he was spending more time on the couch than in bed.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's a possible shot of the day, but Tendulkar goes close to bettering it a few balls later, rocking back and chopping Anderson over the slips for four.

The Guardian - Sport

The run on 13 April 2003, broke her own world best (in Chicago in 2002) by nearly two minutes and no-one has come close to bettering it.

BBC

Every article like this gets us a little bit closer to better treatment and fast diagnosis.

The Guardian

Some tasters held one nostril closed to better appraise the aroma.

The New York Times

The Laotian government has a longstanding policy of bringing the remote mountain communities closer to better facilities.

The Guardian

The information obtained moves us a step closer to better understanding the pathogenesis of sepsis and sepsis-related organ dysfunction, such as ALI.

Critical Care

If network analysis makes these epistatic and pleiotropic effects quantifiable and predictable, we are getting closer to better understand delegated complexity [ 27].

BMC Systems Biology

This will help soothe the muscles and help you relax, bringing you closer to better sleep.

WikiHow

Hit save and you're all set – and one step closer to better efficiency.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "close to better" with more precise phrases like "nearly improved" or "approaching improvement" to ensure readers understand the intended meaning without ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "close to better" in formal writing or situations where precision is essential. Although found in some sources, it's not a standard or widely accepted English phrase. Opt for clearer alternatives to ensure effective communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to better" functions as a descriptive phrase, aiming to express proximity to an improved state. However, it's not considered grammatically standard. Ludwig suggests that clearer alternatives exist.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close to better" is a phrase used to express the idea of something nearing improvement. However, Ludwig highlights that the phrase is grammatically awkward and not considered standard English. With a rare occurrence, it is found across various sources but is generally more suited to informal or neutral contexts. It's advisable to use clearer and more precise alternatives, like "nearly improved" or "approaching betterment", especially in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly improved

Emphasizes the state of being almost improved, focusing on the completion of the improvement process.

approaching improvement

Highlights the ongoing process of improvement, rather than a static state.

on the verge of betterment

Suggests a critical point where improvement is imminent.

nearing a better state

Focuses on the proximity to an overall improved condition or situation.

almost at a superior level

Indicates that something has nearly reached a level of superiority.

bordering on enhanced

Highlights that enhancement is nearly achieved, suggesting a subtle distinction.

close to being superior

Indicates something is nearly achieving superiority.

in the vicinity of progress

Suggests being nearby or associated with the general idea of progress.

not far from improved

A less emphatic way of saying nearly improved, focusing on the short distance to improvement.

in the ballpark of betterment

Implies being generally close to improvement without specifying the exact level of proximity.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "close to better" in a sentence?

While grammatically awkward, you might use "close to better" to suggest something is almost improved, though it's better to use more standard phrases. For example, "The situation is "nearly improved"" is clearer.

What are some alternatives to "close to better"?

Alternatives include "nearly improved", "approaching improvement", or "on the verge of betterment". Choose based on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "close to better", or should I use a different phrase?

While understandable, "close to better" is not standard English. Using phrases like "nearly improved" or "approaching betterment" is grammatically better and clearer.

What's the difference between "close to better" and "significantly better"?

"Close to better" implies a small degree of improvement is in sight, while "significantly better" suggests a much larger, noticeable improvement. Consider using "slightly improved" or "moderately improved" instead of the non-standard "close to better".