decidedly better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decidedly better" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a clear and strong improvement or superiority in comparison to something else. Example: "After reviewing both products, I can confidently say that the new model is decidedly better than its predecessor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Relations with Rome are now decidedly better.

The Guardian

The lottery is the decidedly better bet.Republicans are undeterred.

The Economist

But he was in a decidedly better mood Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

Today, globalization has a decidedly better track record than its alternative.

The New York Times

The City Bar Association rated his performance on the bench as "decidedly better than average".

The New York Times

Alongside a better understanding of skills needs, there must be decidedly better advice for pupils.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Exhuming Knute Rockne's remains wouldn't have helped, simply because U.S.C. was decidedly the better team.

The New York Times

Qatada has been freed because of the importance that we give in this country to the right to liberty and the rule of law and – much as that may outrage some editors - it is decidedly a better country as a result.

The Guardian

Mr. Gutman's Mozart, in fact, is a near-antithesis to the "obscene child" depicted in Peter Shaffer's play "Amadeus" and a decidedly happier, better-adjusted man than the one depicted in Maynard Solomon's 1995 psycho-biography.

The New York Times - Books

"My Name Is Earl" is the network's first new sitcom that has wit and its own pace and tone, decidedly different and better than NBC's recent slew of "Friends" imitations or copycat versions of British hits like "Coupling" and "The Office".

The New York Times - Arts

One girl I know, who is decidedly cooler and better dressed than me, complimented my look.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decidedly better" to emphasize a significant and noticeable improvement when comparing two options or situations. It adds a tone of confidence and clarity to your statement.

Common error

Avoid pairing "decidedly better" with redundant intensifiers such as "very" or "extremely". The phrase itself already conveys a strong degree of improvement, making additional modifiers unnecessary and potentially weakening the impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decidedly better" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that something is notably and unmistakably improved compared to something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically correct and effective.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decidedly better" is a useful and grammatically sound way to express a significant improvement or clear preference. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage in diverse contexts, including news, business, and scientific writing. While alternatives like "clearly superior" or "significantly improved" exist, "decidedly better" offers a specific nuance of confident judgment. Remember to avoid redundant intensifiers and leverage its strength to clearly communicate a notable difference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearly superior

Emphasizes a distinct advantage or higher quality.

significantly improved

Highlights a notable advancement or enhancement.

markedly better

Suggests a noticeable difference in quality or condition.

distinctly superior

Indicates a clear and unmistakable advantage.

noticeably improved

Focuses on the ease with which the improvement can be observed.

unquestionably better

Implies that the improvement is beyond doubt or dispute.

patently superior

Stresses the obvious and undeniable nature of the improvement.

considerably improved

Highlights the extent or degree of the improvement.

appreciably better

Implies that the improvement is sufficient to be easily perceived or valued.

demonstrably superior

Indicates that the improvement can be proven or shown through evidence.

FAQs

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

You can use "decidedly better" to indicate a clear and noticeable improvement or preference, for example: "This new version is "decidedly better" than the previous one."

What are some alternatives to saying "decidedly better"?

Alternatives include "clearly superior", "significantly improved", or "markedly better", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "decidedly better" is suitable for formal writing as it conveys a clear and strong message without being overly informal. However, always consider the context and audience.

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

"Decidedly better" implies a significant and noticeable improvement, while "slightly better" suggests a marginal or small difference. The choice depends on the magnitude of the improvement you wish to express.