is no better

USAGE SUMMARY

"is no better" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when you want to express that something is not any better than it was before. For example, "The situation is no better since we last discussed it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My guess is no better than yours.

The New York Times - Sports

The picture regarding writers is no better.

The Guardian - Books

The picture is no better elsewhere.

The Guardian - Sport

Elsewhere, the situation is no better.

The New York Times

Abdulwahab's work history is no better.

Forbes

John's therapy situation is no better.

Huffington Post

Italy is no better.

The Economist

The morning is no better.

The New Yorker

"There is no better feeling.

The New York Times - Sports

There is no better way.

The New Yorker

There is no better guarantee.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is no better" to clearly indicate that a situation or thing has not shown any improvement, maintaining a tone of disappointment or concern.

Common error

Avoid using "is no better" when a more nuanced description of the situation would be more effective. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound monotonous and lacking in specific details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is no better" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to indicate that a current state or condition has not improved from a previous one. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is no better" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that a situation or condition has not improved. Ludwig AI shows that it's frequently used in news and media to convey disappointment or concern. While versatile, avoid overusing it in overly dramatic contexts to maintain clear and nuanced writing. Alternatives such as "hasn't improved" or "is equally bad" can offer variety, depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not any better

A more emphatic way of saying something is not improved.

is equally bad

Focuses on equivalent negativity, rather than a lack of improvement.

hasn't improved

Highlights the absence of positive change.

is just as poor

Emphasizes the substandard quality or condition.

remains unchanged

Indicates a lack of alteration or progress.

is no different

Stresses the similarity or lack of distinction.

is still inadequate

Highlights the continuing insufficiency.

is as deficient

Emphasizes the presence of shortcomings or flaws.

is of equal detriment

Emphasizes that two or more things are equally harmful.

is similarly lacking

Highlights the parallel absence of a required quality.

FAQs

How can I use "is no better" in a sentence?

You can use "is no better" to express that a situation or condition has not improved. For example, "The economy "is no better" now than it was last year."

What's a more emphatic way to say "is no better"?

To emphasize the lack of improvement, you could say "is not any better". This adds a stronger sense of disappointment or frustration.

Is "is no better" grammatically correct?

Yes, "is no better" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules and is widely used in both formal and informal contexts.

What can I say instead of "is no better" to indicate something is equally bad?

You can use alternatives like "is equally bad" or "is just as poor" to emphasize that something is equally undesirable.