more ideal than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more ideal than" is not correct in standard English usage.
The term "ideal" is an absolute adjective, meaning it cannot be compared in degrees. Example: "This solution is more ideal than the previous one" should be rephrased to avoid the comparative form.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The sonnets separately explore different aspects of love and rejection, and the female beauty which is praised may often be more ideal than real.

The Guardian - Books

"We believe the mixed-use project is more ideal than pure assisted living," Mr. Daly said, "because you can find more people to fill your building.

The New York Times

"Vendors are moving quickly to compete in this space as consumers realize that these small devices are often more ideal than larger tablets for their daily consumption habits".

The Guardian - Tech

During his last years Gainsborough was haunted by his nostalgia for Arcadia in the English countryside and painted a series of pictures of peasant life more ideal than real, for example, The Cottage Door.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In addition, real-data processing results of the proposed algorithm are more ideal than the CED algorithm.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Of course, that is only after you unlock your phone, but still, that would be much more ideal than the current iPhone method.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

It is hard to imagine a more ideal place than this for the spread of tuberculosis, a disease that hovers in the air.

The New York Times

From one point of view — the point of view of lottery officials — you couldn't ask for more ideal winners than the Hills.

The New York Times

Finally there is a potential response bias due to LC specialists being aware of the Temel study and ASCO guidelines, providing more ideal answers than what their actual practice is.

BMC Palliative Care

If going on vacation is about letting your hair down, then there are few combinations more ideal for that than the words "beach" and "party".

Huffington Post

But no place, he insists, proved a more ideal incubator of snobbery than the United States.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical precision, replace "more ideal than" with phrases like "better than" or "more suitable than".

Common error

Using "more ideal than" may be perceived as grammatically incorrect, as "ideal" is often understood as an absolute state. Instead, opt for alternatives like "better than" or "more suitable than" to ensure clarity and correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more ideal than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, aiming to express a higher degree of suitability or perfection. However, Ludwig AI indicates this phrase isn't standard due to "ideal" being an absolute adjective, which shouldn't be compared.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "more ideal than" is used to express a comparative preference, Ludwig AI highlights that it's not considered grammatically sound because "ideal" is an absolute adjective. Though examples appear in various sources, including news and scientific publications, it's advisable to use alternatives like "better than" or "more suitable than" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness, especially in formal contexts. Therefore, while the phrase's intent is clear, opting for grammatically standard alternatives ensures more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

better than

Uses a standard comparative adjective to indicate a higher degree of suitability.

more suitable than

Emphasizes appropriateness as the preferred quality.

preferable to

Highlights the act of choosing one option over another.

superior to

Implies a higher quality or standard.

more appropriate than

Focuses on the fittingness of one option over another.

more advantageous than

Suggests benefits or advantages are greater.

more fitting than

Indicates a closer match or alignment.

more desirable than

Highlights the attractiveness or appeal of an option.

a better choice than

Directly states that one option is a wiser selection.

more effective than

Focuses on achieving a desired outcome with greater success.

FAQs

What's a grammatically sound alternative to "more ideal than"?

Since "ideal" is often considered an absolute adjective, it's better to use phrases like "better than" or "more suitable than".

Is it acceptable to use "more ideal than" in writing?

While the phrase appears in some publications, it's generally advisable to avoid "more ideal than" in formal writing. Using alternatives such as "preferable to" can help to maintain grammatical correctness.

How can I rephrase sentences using "more ideal than" to improve clarity?

To enhance clarity, replace "more ideal than" with stronger comparative phrases. For instance, you might say something is "superior to" another option or "a better choice than" it.

What is the difference between "more ideal than" and "more suitable than"?

"More ideal than" suggests that something approaches a perfect state to a greater degree, but is grammatically disputed. "More suitable than" indicates that something is better suited or more appropriate for a particular purpose.