fare better

USAGE SUMMARY

"fare better" is correct and can be used in written English.
To use it, you would typically use it to reflect that something is doing better than it was before (either in comparison to itself in the past or something else in the present). For example, "After the new coaching regime, the team began to fare better in the league."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others fare better.

The New York Times - Food

Fountaingrove hopes to fare better.

The New York Times

D'Antoni will probably fare better.

The New York Times

Will patients fare better?

Harvard Business Review

Gen X fare better.

The Guardian

Biology doesn't fare better.

The New York Times

Pastas fare better.

The New York Times

L'Aquila should fare better.

The New York Times - Arts

Other songs fare better.

The New Yorker

Morgan Creek's latest offering may fare better.

The New York Times

Man of Steel should fare better.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fare better" when comparing the performance of two or more entities or the performance of one entity at different points in time. For instance, "After the new management took over, the company began to "fare better" than its competitors".

Common error

A common mistake is using the adjective "fair" (meaning equitable or just) instead of the verb "fare" (meaning to succeed or get along). Ensure you are using "fare" to convey the intended meaning of improvement or success. For example, it's incorrect to say, "The team is "fair" better this season."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fare better" is as a verb phrase, typically used to describe an improved state or performance. As indicated by Ludwig, it is often used to compare performance across time or entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fare better" is a commonly used and grammatically correct verb phrase that signifies improvement or superior performance. As Ludwig AI explains, it is used for comparing entities or the same entity across different times. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for professional and general contexts. When using the phrase, ensure you're using "fare" and not confusing it with the adjective "fair". Alternatives like "do better" or "perform better" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. Ludwig's analysis confirms that "fare better" is a reliable and effective way to convey improvement or success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perform better

Replaces "fare" with "perform", emphasizing the act of doing something more effectively.

do better

A more general and simpler alternative, suitable for less formal contexts.

improve

Focuses on the act of becoming better, without direct comparison.

have more success

Shifts the focus to the outcome of success rather than the process.

be more successful

Similar to "have more success", but emphasizes a state of being successful.

achieve better results

Highlights the attainment of positive results.

get better results

Informal version of "achieve better results", focusing on obtaining positive outcomes.

turn out better

Implies a more positive final outcome after a period of uncertainty.

make progress

Focuses on forward movement and advancement.

prosper

Suggests thriving and flourishing, often in a financial or general well-being context.

FAQs

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

The phrase "fare better" is typically used to compare the performance or success of something relative to something else, or to its own past performance. Example: "The new marketing strategy helped the company "fare better" than it did last year."

What's a simple way to say "fare better"?

You can use phrases like "do better", "perform better", or "improve" as simpler alternatives to "fare better", depending on the context.

Which is correct: "fare better" or "fair better"?

"Fare better" is the correct phrase. "Fair better" is incorrect because "fair" is an adjective (meaning just or equitable), while "fare" is a verb (meaning to succeed or get along).

Is there a subtle difference in meaning between "fare better" and "do better"?

While both phrases convey improvement, "fare better" often implies a comparison, whereas "do better" is more general. "This year, our sales "fare better" compared to last year" explicitly compares performance, while saying "We need to "do better"" is a general call for improvement.