do better than

USAGE SUMMARY

"do better than" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to compare one's performance or actions with another's in a competitive or comparative context. Example: "Sarah always strives to do better than her classmates, which is why she consistently ranks at the top of her class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I should do better than that.

Independent

"We can do better than that.

The New York Times

"You can do better than that".

The New York Times

"We must do better than this".

The New York Times

"Can't you do better than that?

The New Yorker

Surely we can do better than this.

The New York Times

RYAN: We can do better than this.

The New York Times

You will not do better than this.

The New York Times

He needed to do better than this.

Independent

But we can do better than that.

The New York Times

I want to do better than that".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "do better than" when you want to directly compare and contrast performance or quality. For instance, "Our new product aims to do better than the competition in terms of user satisfaction."

Common error

While "do better than" is versatile, avoid overusing it in casual conversations. Sometimes simpler phrases like "improve" or "excel" can be more appropriate and sound less confrontational.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do better than" functions primarily as a comparative verb phrase. It indicates an intention or aspiration to achieve a higher level of performance or quality compared to a specific benchmark or competitor. Ludwig examples show this phrase used in various contexts, such as sports, politics, and general self-improvement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "do better than" is a versatile and commonly used comparative phrase, functioning to express aspiration for improvement or to evaluate performance against a benchmark. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is prevalent in News & Media and Academic contexts, reflecting its neutral register suitable for expressing ambition in both formal and informal settings. While the phrase is widely applicable, be mindful of overuse in overly casual conversations. Consider related phrases like "surpass expectations" or ""outperform"" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outperform

Implies a direct comparison and superior performance.

surpass expectations

Focuses on exceeding anticipated outcomes, rather than direct comparison.

exceed expectations

Similar to surpass, but emphasizes going beyond what was anticipated.

excel

Highlights outstanding achievement, often in a specific area.

be superior to

A more formal way of stating that one thing is better than another.

improve upon

Focuses on making something better than it currently is.

outshine

Implies a noticeable superiority, often in terms of talent or skill.

top

A more informal way of saying surpass or exceed.

be a cut above

Suggests a higher quality or standard.

leave in the dust

An idiom that suggests a significant gap in performance.

FAQs

How can I use "do better than" in a sentence?

You can use "do better than" to compare performances, qualities, or outcomes. For instance, "The company hopes to "outperform" its previous sales records and "do better than" its competitors this year."

What's a more formal alternative to "do better than"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "exceed expectations" or "achieve superior results" for a more professional tone.

Is it always necessary to specify what you want to "do better than"?

Yes, to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity, it's best to specify what you're aiming to surpass or improve upon. For instance, instead of just saying "We need to do better", specify "We need to "do better than" last quarter's sales figures."

Which is correct: "do better than" or "do gooder than"?

"Do better than" is the correct phrase for comparing performance. "Do gooder than" is not a standard English phrase.