does better than

USAGE SUMMARY

"does better than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare two objects, phenomena, or people. For example, "This new strain of wheat does better than the old one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But Ames does better than other indicators.

The New York Times

Elsewhere, Mr. Santorum does better than expected.

The New York Times

But it does better than its neighbours.

The Economist

We hope she does better than Lindsey Jacobellis.

The New Yorker

But no one does better than them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Joseph Stiglitz does better than most.

The Guardian - Books

By such measures, France does better than the world average.

The Economist

Its government arguably does better than ours at allocating capital.

The New York Times

That's what he does, and does better than anybody else.

The New York Times - Sports

One thing Manetta's does better than most is toppings.

The New York Times

Sometimes the original does better than The Originals.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two entities, ensure clarity by explicitly stating both subjects of the comparison when using "does better than". This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Ensure the context clearly defines the criteria for 'better'. Without clear criteria, the statement "does better than" becomes subjective and less persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does better than" functions as a comparative expression, used to indicate that one entity, process, or action performs more effectively or successfully compared to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "does better than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative expression. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its prevalence in sources like The New York Times and The Economist shows its suitability for professional and news contexts. To maximize clarity, clearly define the entities being compared and the specific criteria for what constitutes “better”. While versatile, remember alternatives such as "outperforms" or "is superior to" might be more appropriate depending on the level of formality or the nature of the comparison.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does a better job than

Similar to the original phrase, but with a more specific focus on the quality of work done.

is superior to

Directly states a higher quality or rank compared to something else.

is more effective than

Highlights effectiveness as the key point of comparison.

outperforms

Focuses specifically on superior performance, often in a measurable or quantifiable way.

is more successful than

Highlights greater achievement or positive outcomes.

is preferable to

Indicates that something is more desirable or suitable.

surpasses

Implies exceeding a certain level or achievement, often used in formal contexts.

is an improvement over

Indicates that something has been made better or more desirable.

excels over

This alternative emphasizes exceeding expectations or standards in a more formal way.

manages better than

Focuses on better handling or administration of a task or situation.

FAQs

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

The phrase "does better than" is used to compare the performance of one thing against another, implying superiority. For example, "This new model "does better than" its predecessor in fuel efficiency".

What are some alternatives to saying "does better than"?

You can use alternatives such as "outperforms", "is superior to", or "excels over", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "does better than"?

Yes, "does better than" is grammatically correct. It's a common way to express that one thing performs more effectively or successfully than another.

What's the difference between "does better than" and "is better than"?

"Does better than" typically refers to performance or action, while "is better than" is a more general comparison of quality or state. For example, a specific athlete "does better than" another, but one car "is better than" another overall.