is utterly better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is utterly better" is not correct in standard written English.
It is generally not used because "utterly" is an absolute adverb that does not pair well with comparative adjectives like "better." Example: "This new model is utterly better than the previous version" should be rephrased for clarity.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Wikipedia

The Guardian - Music

Independent

The New Yorker

The Economist

BBC

Science Magazine

Huffington Post

Vice

WikiHow

The Guardian - Books

The Guardian - Tech

The Guardian - Sport

The New York Times

The New York Times - Sports

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In this situation, the set of Pareto optimal solutions, i.e. the solutions none of which is utterly better than the others, is the best choice.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Writing on behalf of 4Music, Chris Younie wrote that although "Blank Page" is followed by "Sing for Me", another ballad, the former is "utterly brilliant" and is "ten times better" than the latter.

Wikipedia

Rolf Romei's Oronte looks better than he sounds, but is utterly compelling.

The Guardian - Music

That is utterly, utterly wrong".

Independent

Jackie is utterly beautiful, utterly charming.

The New Yorker

It is utterly humdrum, utterly everyday.

Independent

She is utterly alive.

The New Yorker

It is utterly cruel.

Independent

"It is utterly disgraceful.

The Economist

He is utterly biddable.

The Economist

This is utterly unsurprising.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For formal writing, avoid using "utterly" with comparative adjectives like "better". Opt for phrases like "far superior" or "significantly better" to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Avoid combining absolute adverbs such as "utterly" with comparative adjectives. While it might seem to add emphasis, it creates a grammatically awkward and often incorrect construction. Choose stronger comparative adjectives or use intensifiers that are compatible with comparative forms.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is utterly better" attempts to function as a comparative statement, indicating that one thing is superior to another. However, Ludwig AI suggests that the combination of the absolute adverb "utterly" with the comparative adjective "better" is grammatically questionable, leading to potential ambiguity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "is utterly better" might be used in some contexts, Ludwig AI advises caution due to the combination of the absolute adverb "utterly" with the comparative adjective "better". This construction is generally considered grammatically questionable and more suited to informal settings. For formal writing, opting for alternatives like "is far superior" or "is significantly better" ensures clarity and grammatical correctness. The phrase aims to strongly assert superiority, but its effectiveness is undermined by its grammatical ambiguity. Therefore, carefully consider your audience and purpose when choosing to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is far superior

Replaces "utterly better" with a more grammatically sound and emphatic expression of superiority.

is significantly better

Substitutes "utterly" with "significantly" to temper the absolute nature of the original phrase.

is considerably better

Similar to 'significantly better', but may suggest a more nuanced or appreciable difference.

is much better

A simpler and more direct way to express a higher degree of quality or preference.

is distinctly better

Emphasizes a clear and noticeable improvement or advantage.

is markedly better

Highlights a readily apparent and substantial enhancement.

is demonstrably superior

Suggests that the superiority can be proven or evidenced.

is leagues ahead

An idiomatic expression indicating a substantial lead or advantage.

is head and shoulders above

Another idiomatic phrase suggesting a clear and obvious superiority.

outperforms significantly

Expresses a better performance, usually used in technical contexts.

FAQs

Is "is utterly better" grammatically correct?

The phrase "is utterly better" is generally considered grammatically questionable. "Utterly" is an absolute adverb, and it's unusual to combine it with a comparative adjective like "better". More appropriate options would be to use "far superior" or "significantly better".

What are some alternatives to "is utterly better"?

You can use alternatives like "is far superior", "is significantly better", or "is much better" depending on the context.

When is it acceptable to use "is utterly better"?

While not strictly incorrect, "is utterly better" is most acceptable in informal contexts. In formal writing, it's best to opt for more precise and grammatically standard alternatives.

How does "is utterly better" differ from "is absolutely better"?

"Is utterly better" and "is absolutely better" both combine an intensifier with a comparative, which is generally discouraged in formal writing. However, both phrases are replaceable with stronger alternatives like "is far superior" for a more precise and grammatically sound expression.