it is better to

USAGE SUMMARY

"it is better to" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when emphasizing that it would be a wise decision for someone to do something. For example: "It is better to arrive early rather than risk missing the start of the movie."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sometimes it is better to be ignored".

The New York Times

In Indonesia, it is better to wait.

The Economist

"It is better to shut it down".

The New York Times

"It is better to talk than war.

The Guardian

It is better to make people dream.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Otherwise it is better to stand pat".

The New York Times - Arts

It is better to decrease expectations.

The Guardian - Film

For us it is better to win".

The New York Times - Sports

Sometimes it is better to react in a good way.

Independent

It is better to weigh before and not after.

The New York Times

It is better to be safe than sorry, they say.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering advice using "it is better to", clearly state the alternative and its potential negative consequences to emphasize the benefit of your recommendation.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "it is better to". Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "a more effective approach is", "consider", or "it's preferable to" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is better to" primarily functions as a comparative expression, indicating a preference or recommendation between two or more options. As Ludwig AI says, it emphasizes that a particular action is a wise decision. Ludwig's examples highlight its use in diverse scenarios, from offering advice to stating a general principle.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

25%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is better to" serves as a versatile tool for offering advice, expressing preferences, and guiding decision-making across a multitude of contexts. As Ludwig AI says, it signals that a particular course of action is a wise decision. Found most frequently in news media, scientific literature, and wiki articles, this phrase maintains a generally neutral register. When using "it is better to", it's essential to provide clear context and, where appropriate, highlight the potential drawbacks of alternative options. Remember to vary your sentence structure by using alternatives such as "it is preferable to" or "it would be wiser to" to enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's preferable to

Emphasizes a stronger sense of preference; slightly more formal.

it would be wiser to

Highlights the wisdom or prudence of a particular course of action.

it's advisable to

Conveys a suggestion based on advice or recommendation.

one should rather

Presents a more formal and general recommendation.

the ideal approach is to

Focuses on the optimal or most desirable method.

it's more beneficial to

Highlights the advantages and positive outcomes of a specific choice.

you'd be better off

A more conversational expression indicating improved circumstances.

it's a good idea to

Suggests a practical and sensible action.

the smarter move is to

Emphasizes intelligence and strategic thinking in decision-making.

consider doing

Presents a suggestion for contemplation and action.

FAQs

How can I use "it is better to" in a sentence?

Use "it is better to" to give advice or suggest a preferred action. For example, "it is better to be safe than sorry".

What's a more formal way to say "it is better to"?

More formal alternatives include "it is preferable to" or "it would be wiser to", which convey a stronger sense of recommendation or advisability.

Which is correct, "it is better to" or "it's better to"?

Both "it is better to" and "it's better to" are correct. "It's better to" is a contraction of "it is better to" and is more informal. The choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

What can I say instead of "it is better to" when giving a warning?

When giving a warning, you can use phrases like "you'd be better off" or "it's advisable to", which emphasize the potential negative consequences of not following the suggested action.