did better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did better" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare performance or outcomes, indicating that someone or something performed at a higher level than before or compared to another. Example: "After practicing for weeks, she did better on her exam than she did last time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Maybe you did better.

The New York Times

McGowan did better.

The New York Times

Merrill Lynch did better.

The Economist

She did better after.

The New York Times

Schuld did better.

The New York Times

Some did better than others.

The New York Times

Bilinguals did better than monoglots.

The Economist

"We did better than that.

Independent

They did better".

The New York Times - Sports

Mignocchi did better.

The New York Times

But he did better.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "did better" when you want to directly compare two actions or performances where one clearly surpassed the other. For variety, consider alternatives like "performed better" or "excelled" depending on the context.

Common error

While "did better" is acceptable in many situations, avoid using it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "demonstrated superior performance" or "achieved greater results" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did better" functions as a comparative verb phrase, indicating that someone or something achieved a more favorable outcome than previously or compared to someone/something else. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did better" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate improvement or outperformance. Ludwig's analysis shows it is used in news, academic, and business contexts. While "did better" is common in everyday language and journalism, consider using more formal alternatives in academic or professional writing to convey a more sophisticated tone. The abundance of examples in Ludwig highlights the phrase's versatility and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

performed better

Replaces "did" with "performed", emphasizing the action of executing a task more effectively.

outperformed

Directly indicates surpassing another in performance.

excelled

Implies a significant degree of superiority or success.

improved

Focuses on the act of becoming better, often from a previous state.

progressed

Suggests gradual improvement over time.

made strides

Implies significant advancements or progress.

surpassed expectations

Indicates exceeding anticipated levels of performance.

came out ahead

Focuses on achieving a more favorable outcome.

triumphed

Suggests a victory or major success against challenges.

advanced

Highlights forward movement and improvement.

FAQs

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

Use "did better" to compare two performances or outcomes, indicating improvement or superiority. For example, "After studying, she "did better" on the test."

What are some alternatives to "did better"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "performed better", "excelled", or "outperformed" instead of "did better".

Is it always appropriate to use "did better" in writing?

While generally acceptable, "did better" might be too informal for highly professional or academic contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives in those situations.

What's the difference between "did better" and "improved"?

"Did better" is often used to compare two distinct instances, while "improved" emphasizes the process of becoming better over time. For example, "She improved her skills" suggests a continuous process, while "She "did better" this time" compares a specific past performance with a recent one.