it better that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it better that" is not correct in standard written English.
You might be trying to express a preference or suggestion, but the phrase is incomplete and lacks proper grammatical structure. Example: "It would be better that we leave early to avoid traffic."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Going back to the stories and poems that mean something to you, revisiting your work again and again to make it better, that is revision.

University of California, Berkeley

Cusack put it better, that is, more lightly, in the film he co-wrote, Grosse Point Blank, which deals hysterically with exactly this subject.

The Guardian - Film

Since Google launched Glass, it has hopefully learned how to market it better — that is, without this kind of limited "Explorer" program that only exacerbated the myths.

TechCrunch

But it's Santo Domingo, now that I'm getting to know it better, that is capturing my imagination.

Huffington Post

Saying, "It tastes so good and the can is beautiful!" is all well and good, but imagine if you said, "Sure, Coke has more drinkers, but it's in more countries – that doesn't make it better, that makes it more widespread".

WikiHow

We just liked it better that way".

The New York Times - Sports

Sometimes, I like it better that way".

The New York Times - Sports

He liked it better that way, really.

The New Yorker

I liked it better that way".

The New York Times

But is it better that ministers subcontract decisions to unaccountable quangos, or that they exercise judgement?

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Of course, I don't agree with everything they write, and we often have long (but cordial) arguments about what they think versus my views, but that is life… As for thinking that is it 'better that nothing appear, than something unacceptable to us'… as though we are the gatekeepers of all that is acceptable in the world of paleoclimatology seems amazingly arrogant".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase “it better that” in formal writing. Instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "it is preferable that" or "it would be better if".

Common error

A common mistake is using “it better that” as a substitute for a proper subordinate clause. Always ensure the sentence has a clear subject and verb after “that” when expressing preference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it better that" functions as an incomplete comparative construction. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically incorrect, so its use should be avoided in formal settings. It attempts to express a preference, similar to saying "it would be better if."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

23%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it better that" appears frequently across diverse sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Its intended purpose is to express a preference, but it's crucial to use grammatically sound alternatives like "it is preferable that" or "it would be better if" in formal writing and speech. Predominantly found in news and media, its informal nature makes it unsuitable for academic and professional contexts. Always opt for correct grammatical structures to ensure clarity and credibility in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is preferable that

Emphasizes a preference for a particular course of action or situation.

it would be better if

Introduces a conditional statement expressing a more desirable outcome.

it's better if

A more conversational contraction of 'it is better if'.

it is more desirable that

Highlights the desirability of a specific outcome or choice.

it would be wiser to

Suggests a more prudent or sensible action.

the preferred option is

States a clear preference for a specific choice.

it is advantageous that

Focuses on the benefits or advantages of a certain action or situation.

it is advisable to

Recommends a particular course of action as being sensible.

one should prefer

A formal way to express preference.

the ideal situation is

Describes an optimal or perfect scenario.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it better that"?

You can use alternatives like "it is preferable that", "it would be better if", or "it is more desirable that" depending on the context.

How to use "it is preferable that" in a sentence?

Use "it is preferable that" to indicate a preferred course of action. For example, "It is preferable that we arrive early to secure good seats."

Is "it better that" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "it better that" is not grammatically correct in standard written English. Alternatives like "it is better that" or "it would be better if" are more appropriate.

What's the difference between "it better that" and "it would be better if"?

"It better that" is an incomplete and grammatically incorrect phrase. "It would be better if" is a grammatically correct conditional statement expressing a desired outcome.