it is better to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is better to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing two states or conditions, suggesting that one is preferable to the other. Example: "In many situations, it is better to be honest than to tell a lie."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sometimes it is better to be ignored".

The New York Times

Evidently it is better to be rich than well educated.

Stanford University

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

The New York Times

It is better to be young than petite.

The Economist

It is better to be an apologiser than an apologist.

The Guardian - Sport

It is better to be honest than dishonest.

The New York Times

("It is better to be humble than hung," he commented).

The New York Times - Travel

It is better to be a Girondin than a Jacobin.

The Washington Post

Instead, it is better to be both friendly and open during talks.

Harvard University

It is better to be over prepared for your first lesson!

Yale University

"It is better to be precise and inaccurate than being accurate and imprecise".

Total Quality Management Key Concepts and Case Studies

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is better to be", ensure the comparison is clear and the alternative is easily understood. For instance, "It is better to be proactive than reactive" clearly illustrates the preferred approach.

Common error

Avoid vague comparisons when using "it is better to be". Instead of saying "It is better to be good", specify what 'good' entails: "It is better to be honest than deceitful."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is better to be" functions as a comparative expression, presenting a preference or recommendation between two states or conditions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature, frequently appearing in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is better to be" is a versatile and commonly used comparative expression for suggesting a preference or offering advice. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across diverse contexts, including news, academic writing, and general discourse. When using this phrase, ensure the comparison is clear and specific. Alternatives like "it's preferable to be" or "it's more advantageous to be" can add nuance or formality. Be mindful of clarity to avoid vague comparisons, and leverage its inherent persuasive power to guide and inform effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's preferable to be

Changes "better" to "preferable", emphasizing a stronger sense of choice.

it's more advantageous to be

Replaces "better" with "more advantageous", highlighting benefits or gains.

it would be wiser to be

Substitutes "it is better" with "it would be wiser", focusing on prudence and wisdom.

one should rather be

Uses "one should rather be" for a more formal and general recommendation.

it's a good idea to be

Changes the phrase to a suggestion using "it's a good idea", making it less direct.

the ideal situation is to be

Expresses the phrase as an ideal scenario, changing the tone to aspirational.

it's more desirable to be

Replaces "better" with "more desirable", emphasizing attractiveness or appeal.

you're better off being

Switches to a more personal and direct recommendation, using "you're better off".

it's in your best interest to be

Highlights personal benefit, using "it's in your best interest".

the smarter choice is to be

Emphasizes intelligence in the decision, using "the smarter choice".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it is better to be" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you can use phrases like "it's preferable to be" or "it's more advantageous to be", which convey a stronger sense of choice or benefit.

When is it appropriate to use "it is better to be" in writing?

Use "it is better to be" when you want to express that one state or condition is more desirable or beneficial than another. For example, "It is better to be prepared than to be caught off guard."

What are some common phrases that use the structure "it is better to be"?

Common phrases include "it is better to be safe than sorry", "it is better to be honest than dishonest", and "it is better to be kind than cruel".

Is there a difference in meaning between "it is better to be" and "it's better to be"?

No, there is no significant difference in meaning. "It's better to be" is simply a contraction of "it is better to be" and is generally considered more informal.