more popular

USAGE SUMMARY

'more popular' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare different things that are popular with people, such as "This flavor of ice cream has become more popular than other flavors in the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Other incentives are more popular.

The Economist

"It keeps getting more popular".

The New York Times

And he's more popular.

The New Yorker

Palin became more popular.

The New York Times

"I'm just more popular".

The New Yorker

Some have been more popular than others.

The New York Times - Arts

No wonder Gehry is more popular.

The New Yorker

He is more popular than Mr Medvedev.

The Economist

But the Concertación is no more popular.

The Economist

He is even more popular in Europe.

The New Yorker

But smoking is more popular in Britain.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the popularity of items, ensure you clearly define the group or population whose preferences you are measuring. For example, "This app is more popular among teenagers than adults".

Common error

Avoid stating that something is "more popular" without specifying a context or comparison group. Saying "This movie is more popular" is vague. Instead, specify "This movie is more popular than its predecessor" or "This movie is more popular in Europe than in America."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more popular" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to indicate that one entity has a greater degree of popularity than another. As Ludwig AI states, it's often used to compare different things that are popular with people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

16%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more popular" is a common and grammatically sound comparative adjective phrase used to indicate a greater degree of favor or prevalence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across different contexts. Its widespread use in news, wikis, and scientific publications highlights its versatility. When using "more popular", it's best practice to specify the context and comparison group to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "more well-liked" or "more prevalent" can be used for nuanced expression. The phrase is appropriate for neutral registers and serves to inform about relative public opinion or acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more well-liked

Replaces "popular" with a synonym focusing on personal affection.

more favored

Emphasizes preference or advantage over others.

more prevalent

Shifts the focus from favor to common occurrence or widespread existence.

more common

Indicates a higher frequency of occurrence.

more in demand

Indicates a higher level of request or need for something.

more widespread

Highlights the extent of distribution or occurrence.

more fashionable

Highlights trendiness and adherence to current styles.

on the rise

Emphasizes a trend of increasing popularity or usage.

gaining traction

Focuses on the increasing momentum and acceptance.

enjoying greater success

Highlights improved outcomes and achievements.

FAQs

How can I use "more popular" in a sentence?

You can use "more popular" to compare the relative popularity of two or more things, such as "American football is "more popular than" baseball in the US" or "This brand became "more popular than" its competitors after the advertising campaign".

What are some alternatives to saying "more popular"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "more well-liked", "more prevalent", "more in demand", or "more fashionable" to convey a similar meaning.

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

While not always grammatically required, specifying what something is "more popular" than provides clarity and context. Without it, the statement can be vague. For instance, instead of saying "This song is more popular", you might say "This song is "more popular than" their previous single".

Can "more popular" be used in a negative context?

Yes, "more popular" can be used in a negative context when describing something undesirable that is becoming widespread, such as "Unfortunately, misinformation is becoming "more popular than" factual reporting".