more potent than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more potent than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the strength or effectiveness of one thing relative to another. Example: "The new medication is more potent than the previous version, leading to faster recovery times."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Was sexism more potent than racism?

The New York Times

Apologising is more potent than regretting.

The Guardian - Opinion

The anti-Establishment soon became more potent than the Establishment.

The Guardian

Barack Obama has a foe more potent than Mitt Romney.

The Guardian - Opinion

Second, attacking motive is far more potent than attacking judgement.

The Guardian

His fists proved a lot more potent than his feet.

The New York Times - Sports

Such objections may prove more potent than worries over pollution.

The Economist

Fortunately, its charms are more potent than its arms.

The Economist

There are new 'topical creams' that are far more potent than anything before.

The Guardian

Curiosity is far more potent than it's given credit for, especially sexual curiosity.

The New York Times

In many ways, Air Afrique's symbolism has always been more potent than its reality.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more potent than", ensure you're comparing items within a similar context. For instance, comparing the potency of two drugs is appropriate, while comparing the potency of a drug to an idea might be less effective.

Common error

Avoid using "more potent than" when comparing abstract concepts with tangible items. Potency typically applies to measurable effects, not subjective qualities. It's better to replace "potent" with descriptive alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more potent than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to indicate that one item possesses a greater degree of strength, effectiveness, or power when compared to another. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is commonly and correctly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more potent than" is a comparative phrase used to indicate that one thing is stronger or more effective than another. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. It is commonly found in science and news contexts and is generally neutral to formal in register. When writing, ensure that you are comparing like items and that the concept of potency is applicable. Consider alternatives like "stronger than" or "more effective than", depending on the context. Avoid using it when comparing abstract concepts without quantifiable measures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stronger than

Focuses on the physical or qualitative strength, differing from potency which implies effectiveness.

more effective than

Emphasizes the effectiveness in achieving a specific result, while potency suggests inherent power.

more powerful than

Highlights the power or influence, slightly broader than potency which often refers to a specific capability.

more impactful than

Stresses the effect or influence, less about the intrinsic strength.

exceeds the power of

Formal and emphatic, indicating a greater level of influence or capability.

surpasses the effectiveness of

Formal, highlighting a superior level of efficacy or result.

more intense than

Describes a greater degree of intensity or concentration, not necessarily effectiveness.

outperforms

Focuses on a performance comparison, indicating a superior result in a specific context.

is superior to

Indicates a higher rank or quality, which may or may not imply greater effectiveness.

overshadows the impact of

Emphasizes the relative unimportance of one impact compared to another.

FAQs

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

Use "more potent than" to compare the strength or effectiveness of two things. For example: "The new drug is "more potent than" the old one."

What's a good substitute for "more potent than"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "stronger than", "more effective than", or "more powerful than".

Is it correct to say "most potent than"?

No, "most potent than" is grammatically incorrect. You should use "more potent than" for comparisons and "most potent" for superlatives (e.g., "This is the most potent drug available").

When is it inappropriate to use "more potent than"?

It's best to avoid using "more potent than" when comparing abstract concepts that don't have a quantifiable measure of strength. In these cases, use alternatives that better describe the nature of the comparison.