is better called

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is better called" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to introduce a different or more accurate name or title for something. Example: The method of teaching that focuses on individualized instruction is better called personalized learning.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I can see why the victims of child abuse – of "child rape" as it is better called – are on edge.

The Guardian - Opinion

Part II is better called a memory play than a history; it is the most lyrical Shakespeare ever wrote.

The Guardian

Caused by a respiratory virus that can infect humans, the disease is better called ornithosis, as it is by no means restricted to psittacine birds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Trump, as Roth points out, is "incapable of expressing or recognizing subtlety or nuance, destitute of all decency, and wielding a vocabulary of seventy-seven words that is better called Jerkish than English".

The New Yorker

But, whatever I may have seen as their limitations of character or intellect, neither was anything like as humanly impoverished as Trump is: ignorant of government, of history, of science, of philosophy, of art, incapable of expressing or recognizing subtlety or nuance, destitute of all decency, and wielding a vocabulary of seventy-seven words that is better called Jerkish than English".

The New Yorker

Quantum chaos, or quantum chaology as it is better called, is the study of the relationship between chaos in the macroscopic or classical domain and the quantum domain.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

When is Better Call Saul set?

Independent

In a customer service tussle, which is better: calling it even or getting even?

Los Angeles Times

The so-called 'interpretations of probability' would be better called 'analyses of various concepts of probability', and 'interpreting probability' is the task of providing such analyses.

SEP

Nearly all massively multiplayer games would be better called decently large multiplayer games.

The New York Times - Arts

"They'd be better called 'New Years Wishes': I wish I could lose weight.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is better called" when you want to propose a more precise or suitable term than what is commonly used. It's often used to refine understanding or correct a misnomer.

Common error

Avoid using "is better called" when a straightforward naming is sufficient. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious. Reserve it for situations where clarification or correction is genuinely needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is better called" functions as a qualifying expression, used to suggest a more accurate or appropriate term than the one commonly used. Ludwig confirms this usage, demonstrating that it serves to refine understanding or correct a potential misnomer.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is better called" is a phrase used to suggest a more accurate or appropriate term. Ludwig AI affirms that it is grammatically correct and serves to clarify or correct a potential misnomer. It's most commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, where precision is valued. While the phrase can enhance clarity, overuse can make writing sound pretentious, so it's best reserved for situations where a clearer or more accurate term is genuinely needed. Remember that alternatives like "is more accurately termed" or "should rather be called" can be used for semantic variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is more accurately termed

Focuses on accuracy in naming something.

is preferably referred to as

Indicates a suggested preference in terminology.

should rather be called

Suggests a correction or improvement in the choice of words.

can also be known as

Suggests an alternative name which is also correct.

is best described as

Emphasizes the descriptive aspect of naming.

might be more appropriately named

Highlights the appropriateness of a different term.

is perhaps better defined as

Centers on improving the definition of a concept.

could also be considered

Presents another valid viewpoint.

is alternatively phrased as

Focuses on rephrasing for clarity or style.

might more helpfully be viewed as

Suggests a perspective shift to aid understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "is better called" in a sentence?

Use "is better called" to suggest a more accurate or appropriate term. For instance, "The phenomenon of rapid technological advancement is better called a technological revolution".

What are some alternatives to "is better called"?

You can use alternatives like "is more accurately termed", "should rather be called", or "is preferably referred to as" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "is better called" over a simpler naming convention?

Use "is better called" when the common term is misleading or imprecise. It's best for clarifying concepts or suggesting a more nuanced understanding.

What's the difference between "is also called" and "is better called"?

"Is also called" simply introduces another name for something, while "is better called" suggests that the alternative name is more accurate or preferable. Consider them as "synonyms" vs. "improvements".