doing any better

USAGE SUMMARY

"doing any better" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used as a question to inquire about someone's well-being or current progress. Example: "How are you doing? I heard you were sick last week. Are you doing any better now?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Is Marvel doing any better?

The Guardian - Film

"Are you doing any better?" Sandigo asks.

The Washington Post

Meanwhile, investors in DJSP are not doing any better.

The New York Times

Academically, how can Princeton be doing any better?

Princeton University

But without Rose, it is hard to see them doing any better than last season.

The New York Times - Sports

Le Figaro is seen as the mouthpiece of the right and is not doing any better.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Regulators would struggle to do any better.

The Economist

Will today's politicians do any better?

The Economist

Why would villagers do any better?

The New Yorker

I couldn't do any better".

The New York Times - Sports

Will Mr Khatami do any better?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking about someone's health, use "doing any better" to show genuine concern for their well-being.

Common error

Avoid using "doing any better" when referring to inanimate objects or abstract concepts. It's best suited for inquiring about the well-being or progress of people or situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing any better" functions primarily as an interrogative phrase used to inquire about the state of someone's health, progress, or well-being. As Ludwig AI shows, it's commonly employed in questions seeking information on improvement or recovery.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

11%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Science

26%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "doing any better" is a grammatically sound and very common way to inquire about someone's well-being or progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's typically used in questions and is considered correct in written English. While its register is generally neutral, it may be more appropriate to use more formal language in professional settings. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media sources. When writing, avoid using it to refer to inanimate objects. Alternative phrases include "improving at all" and "making any progress".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Improving at all

Focuses specifically on whether there's any degree of positive change.

Making any progress

Emphasizes the forward movement or advancement in a particular task or situation.

Feeling any better

Specifically refers to an improvement in health or emotional state.

In better shape

Implies a more general improvement in condition or preparedness.

Turning a corner

Suggests a significant positive change or recovery from a difficult situation.

On the upswing

Indicates a positive trend or improvement in a situation or condition.

Recovering well

Highlights the process of getting better after an illness or setback.

Looking up

Suggests that things are generally improving or becoming more positive.

Making headway

Focuses on progress being made, particularly in challenging circumstances.

Advancing at all

Similar to "improving at all", but with a slightly more formal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "doing any better" in a sentence?

You can use "doing any better" to inquire about someone's health or progress, such as "Are you "doing any better" after your surgery?" or "Is the project "doing any better" now that we've implemented the new strategies?"

What's a less direct way to ask if someone is "doing any better"?

Instead of directly asking "Are you "doing any better"?", you could say "How are you feeling today?" or "Have things improved since we last spoke?" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "doing any better" in formal settings?

While "doing any better" is generally acceptable, in very formal settings, consider using more specific and professional language. For example, instead of asking if a company is "doing any better", ask "Has the company's performance improved this quarter?"

What can I say instead of "doing any better" when referring to a situation?

If you're referring to a situation, you might use alternatives like "making any progress", "showing improvement", or "turning a corner" depending on the specific context of the situation.