more dear than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more dear than" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that something is more important, valued, or cherished than something else. For example: "My family is more dear than any amount of money I could ever earn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Yes, alas! for what have I more dear than these?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Immortal life with Kalypso or in Elysium or in the garden of the sun has its distinct appeal, to be sure, yet human beings hold nothing more dear than what they bring into being, or maintain in being, through their own cultivating efforts.

University of Chicago

Were it not a very daring thing to say, I would like to add that to a true lover, the halting confession of his beloved is more dear than the most beautiful poem.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Once again, his theme was the way "youth's beloved moment flies, more dear / than fame and laurel, dearer than the simple / light of day and breath".

The New Yorker

Nothing is more dear to us than the protection of our civil liberties.

Yale University

And our sons that we love are no more dear to us than our land.

The New York Times

Mr. Mohamed, the religious scholar, justified it this way: "Our prophet is more dear to us than our family and our nation".

The New York Times

"Dear trader, dear industrial worker," the notices said, "proclaim loud in the face of the tyrant that one drop of blood from a Syrian father is more dear to you than evanescent money.

The New York Times

"Even if they hoist me up onto the gallows... nothing is more dear to me than my honour". Defence lawyers argued that at no point in the intercepts did the accused say they drowned the victims.

The Guardian

I know, because my three sisters are more dear to me than I could have possibly imagined when I was young.

Huffington Post

And as nothing is more dear to us than the loving conservation of our subjects' hearts, what an undeserved doubt might we have incurred if the abusers of our liberality, the thrallers of our people, the wringers of the poor, had not been told us!

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more dear than", ensure the comparison is clear and that the context supports the heightened emotional or personal value being expressed. For example, "My family's well-being is "more dear than" any professional achievement."

Common error

Avoid using "more dear than" in purely transactional or business contexts where a more neutral comparison like "more valuable than" would be more appropriate. The phrase carries a strong emotional connotation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more dear than" functions as a comparative, highlighting that one thing is valued or cherished to a greater extent than another. Ludwig's AI analysis confirms its correct usage in expressing relative importance or affection.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more dear than" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to indicate that something is of greater importance, affection, or value compared to something else. Ludwig confirms this, underlining that the phrase is correct and best suited to neutral or formal contexts where an emphasis on emotional value is appropriate. While less frequent in purely business or transactional contexts, its power lies in expressing deep personal significance. Using related phrases like "more valuable than" or "more precious than" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more important than

Focuses on the significance and priority of one thing over another.

more precious than

Underscores the rarity and irreplaceability of something.

more cherished than

Highlights the emotional value and level of affection.

loved more than

Emphasizes the degree of affection towards something.

more valuable than

Emphasizes monetary or material worth over something else.

more esteemed than

Implies a higher level of respect and admiration.

valued above

Indicates a preference and prioritization of one thing over another.

preferred over

Indicates a choice or inclination towards one thing rather than another.

held in higher regard than

A more formal way of expressing preference and respect.

considered superior to

Suggests a judgement of higher quality or importance.

FAQs

What does "more dear than" mean?

The phrase "more dear than" indicates that something holds a higher level of importance, affection, or value compared to something else. It suggests a strong emotional connection or personal significance.

What can I say instead of "more dear than"?

You can use alternatives like "more valuable than", "more precious than", or "more important than" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "more dear than"?

Yes, "more dear than" is grammatically correct and conveys a sense of profound affection or value. However, ensure its use is appropriate to the context, as it carries a stronger emotional weight than alternatives like "more valuable than".

How can I use "more dear than" in a sentence?

You can use "more dear than" to express a preference or a higher level of importance. For example, "The safety of my children is "more dear than" any material possession" or "Her reputation was "more dear than" any amount of money."