is better than

USAGE SUMMARY

"is better than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to compare two things or ideas. For example, "Learning to play the piano is better than watching TV".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Food

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Talking is better than killing.

The Economist

Two is better than one.

The New York Times

Anything is better than that.

The New York Times

Obama is better than this.

The New York Times

This is better than nothing.

The Economist

It is better than decent.

The New York Times - Food

Rich is better than poor.

The New York Times

Hockey is better than ever.

The New York Times

Drogba is better than Abreu.

The New York Times

Winter is better than summer.

The New Yorker

"Hope is better than fear.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing options, ensure clarity by explicitly stating what aspects make one option "better" than another. For instance, "talking is better than killing" because it promotes understanding and prevents violence.

Common error

Avoid using "is better than" without providing specific reasons or context. Saying "X is better than Y" without explaining why can lead to misunderstandings and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is better than" functions as a comparative expression, primarily used to indicate that one entity, action, or concept holds a more favorable position or possesses superior qualities compared to another. Ludwig highlights various examples demonstrating its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is better than" is a versatile and commonly used comparative expression. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread application. It functions to express preference or superiority, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media. Related phrases such as "is preferable to" and "outweighs" offer alternative ways to convey similar comparative meanings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by providing specific reasons for the comparison to avoid overgeneralization. By understanding its function and usage, you can effectively communicate nuanced comparisons in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is superior to

Formal phrase indicating a higher quality or rank.

is preferable to

Formal alternative, suggesting a stronger degree of preference.

is of greater value than

Emphasizes the worth or importance of something in comparison.

outweighs

Implies a comparison where one aspect is significantly more important.

surpasses

Suggests exceeding a certain level or quality.

exceeds

Indicates surpassing a limit or expectation.

beats

Informal alternative meaning to be better or more successful than.

excels over

Suggests a higher level of performance or ability.

is a cut above

Informal expression indicating something is of higher quality.

trumps

Suggests being more important or powerful.

FAQs

How to use "is better than" in a sentence?

Use "is better than" to compare two options or concepts, highlighting the advantages of one over the other. For example, "Honesty "is better than" lying".

What can I say instead of "is better than"?

You can use alternatives like "is preferable to", "is superior to", or "outweighs" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is better than" or "is more better than"?

"Is better than" is correct. "More better" is grammatically incorrect as "better" already implies a comparative state.

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

"Is better than" indicates that one option has advantages over another, while "is as good as" implies that two options are equal in quality or effectiveness.