more helpful than

USAGE SUMMARY

"more helpful than" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to compare the level of helpfulness between two things or individuals. Example: "The new software is more helpful than the old one because it automatically saves your work every few minutes." In this example, the phrase "more helpful than" is used to compare the level of helpfulness between the new software and the old software. It suggests that the new software is superior in terms of being helpful because it has a feature that the old software lacks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That would have been more helpful than the umpteenth diet self-help book.

Huffington Post

Learning skills to help manage this discontent is often more helpful than supplements and medications.

Huffington Post

Some life hacks have been more helpful than others.

The Guardian - Tech

But some suggestions were more helpful than others.

The Guardian

Some doormen or superintendents may be more helpful than others.

The New York Times - Style

Nothing's more helpful than finding out how others see you.

The New York Times

Some of them would be more helpful than you indicate.

The New York Times

Sadly, I can't be any more helpful than that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Maybe Cameron's advice to Corbyn was more helpful than it sounded at first.

The Guardian - Opinion

"And his idiosyncratic intellect should be more helpful than ever now".

The Guardian

"Human nature tells me that having the ability to compare is more helpful than destructive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more helpful than", ensure you clearly define what aspects are being compared. For example, specify if you are comparing the speed, ease of use, or accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "more helpful than" without specifying what the subject is more helpful for. Add specifics to your comparison to make it more impactful and informative.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "more helpful than" is to serve as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to compare the degree to which one thing provides assistance, benefit, or utility in relation to another. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more helpful than" is a common and grammatically sound comparative expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to express a preference or judgment about the relative effectiveness of two entities, indicating which provides superior assistance or utility. It is versatile, maintaining a neutral register suitable for various contexts, including news, scientific writing, and general communication. To maximize clarity, specify the aspects being compared when using this phrase. Related phrases include "more beneficial than", "more effective than", and "more useful than", providing alternative ways to convey the same comparative meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more beneficial than

Focuses on the advantages provided, highlighting the positive outcomes.

more advantageous than

Emphasizes the element of gaining an edge or a more favorable position.

more effective than

Highlights superior results and efficiency.

more useful than

Stresses the practicality and functionality.

more valuable than

Indicates a greater degree of worth or significance.

preferable to

Indicates a choice based on greater desirability.

surpasses

Highlights that one option goes above and beyond what is expected of the other.

outweighs

Suggests that the benefits of one thing are much greater than another.

excels over

Focuses on one item's superiority in a specific area.

beats

Informal way to suggest a better option exists, often in a casual context.

FAQs

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

Use "more helpful than" to compare the effectiveness of two or more things. For example, "This tutorial is "more helpful than" the previous one because it includes step-by-step instructions."

What are some alternatives to using "more helpful than"?

You can use phrases like "more beneficial than", "more effective than", or "more useful than" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to specify what something is "more helpful than"?

Yes, clarity is key. Always specify what you are comparing something to when using "more helpful than". For example, instead of saying "This tool is more helpful", say "This tool is "more helpful than" the previous version for managing large datasets."

How does "more helpful than" differ from "as helpful as"?

"More helpful than" indicates that one thing is superior in providing assistance, whereas "as helpful as" suggests that two things provide equal levels of assistance. For instance, "The guide is "more helpful than" the manual" implies the guide offers better support. "The guide is "as helpful as" the manual" means both provide similar levels of assistance.