has been better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been better" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that a situation or condition was more favorable in the past compared to the present. Example: "My health has been better since I started exercising regularly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This year has been better.

The Economist

The economic news has been better lately.

The New York Times

"But it has been better, too.

Independent

So far, bigger has been better.

The New York Times

Iona has been better known for basketball.

The New York Times - Sports

Their defense has been better than expected, and sometimes nonexistent.

The New York Times - Sports

The pass defense has been better only by comparison.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think he has been better," Hunter said.

The New York Times - Sports

Fortunately the clean-up has been better handled.

The Economist

In two starts back, he has been better.

The New York Times - Sports

But each week has been better than the previous one.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been better" to indicate an improvement or positive change over a specific past period or condition. Ensure the context clearly defines what "it" refers to for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "has been better" without a clear subject. Ensure the sentence explicitly states what has improved; otherwise, the statement lacks meaning and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been better" functions as a comparative expression, indicating an improvement or more favorable condition relative to a previous state. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been better" is a common and grammatically correct way to express improvement over a past condition. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use, primarily in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the subject of improvement is clear. Consider alternatives like "has improved" or "is now superior" for variety. Remember to provide context to ensure the meaning is clear and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has improved

Replaces "better" with a direct synonym indicating a positive change.

is now superior

Emphasizes the current state being of higher quality or performance.

has progressed

Focuses on the forward movement and positive development.

is in a better state

Highlights the improved condition or situation.

has become more favorable

Indicates a shift towards a more advantageous circumstance.

has turned out better

Implies a positive outcome that exceeded initial expectations.

exceeds previous performance

Formally states that the current performance is higher than before.

is doing better

Emphasizes ongoing improvement in activity or health.

is a step up

Informally indicates an advancement or upgrade.

is on the upswing

Suggests a trend of continuous positive development.

FAQs

What does "has been better" mean?

The phrase "has been better" indicates that a particular situation, condition, or performance is now improved compared to a previous state or time.

How can I use "has been better" in a sentence?

Use "has been better" to show improvement over a past state, for example, "My health "has been better" since I started exercising" or "The economic news "has been better" lately".

What are some alternatives to "has been better"?

You can use alternatives such as "has improved", "is now superior", or "is in a better state" to convey a similar meaning.

Which is correct, "has been better" or "is better"?

"Has been better" implies a comparison to a past state, whereas "is better" simply indicates the current state is superior without explicit reference to the past. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning and context.