more than best

USAGE SUMMARY

"more than best" is not grammatically correct and is not a commonly used phrase in written English.
It is unclear what the intended meaning is, and it would be better to use a different phrase or word. Example of incorrect use: "This cake is more than best." Corrected example: "This cake is better than the rest."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Frances and Sophie, who live together at the start of the movie, are more than best friends.

The New York Times

Mr Brown's numbers are no more than best guesses: he must revise his budget in May after 2012's tax returns come in.

The Economist

Anyway, the proposed new category was binned and, with it, Black Panther's chances of going home with much more than best production design.

The Guardian - Film

* Land-use planning should assert the value that "highest and best use" can mean something more than best potential economic return or an ugly sprawl will result.

The New York Times

The three positive principles of performance define more than best practices: they comprise a lifestyle.

Forbes

"It's an industry whose standards are based on nothing more than best practices, and those practices are not necessarily the best for investors," says one former Citco employee.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

With these schemes, networks can provide more than best-effort services.

Computer Networks

Best processes are more important than best practices.

Harvard Business Review

Opting to have one best friend or more than one best friend isn't a matter of right or wrong.

Huffington Post

More challenges than best practices were identified.

Human Resources for Health

Inpatient treatment was more costly than best supportive care (Evans and Le Chevalier, 1996).

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the grammatically awkward "more than best", opt for clearer and more conventional phrases like "better than the best" or "superior to the best" to express exceeding expectations or surpassing standards. Ensure your language is precise and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid constructing comparative phrases that don't adhere to standard grammatical rules. "More than best" sounds clumsy and deviates from established English usage. Stick to recognized comparative forms to maintain clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than best" is intended to function as a comparative, aiming to express a degree beyond the superlative. However, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect because it violates standard English grammar rules. It is rarely found in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "more than best" aims to convey something exceeding the highest standard, it's grammatically incorrect and uncommon in formal English. Ludwig AI identifies it as such, advising against its use in professional or academic contexts. Instead, consider using alternatives like "better than the best" or "superior to the best" for clearer and more effective communication. While examples can be found in news and media, its incorrect usage undermines its effectiveness in scenarios that demand precision and formality. Therefore, prioritize grammatically sound alternatives to accurately express exceeding expectations or surpassing standards.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

better than the best

Directly compares the subject's quality against the highest achievable standard.

superior to the best

Emphasizes exceeding the highest standard, highlighting a clear advantage.

exceeding the best

Highlights going beyond what is considered the ultimate level.

surpassing the highest standard

Focuses on outperforming the peak level of quality or achievement.

outperforming the best

Highlights a better performance when compared against the best in the category

above and beyond the best

Stresses the extra effort or quality, significantly exceeding expectations.

of a higher caliber than the best

Implies a superior level of skill or quality compared to the finest.

a cut above the best

Suggests a noticeable difference in quality that makes it superior to the competition.

transcending the best

Implies surpassing the best by far

unequaled by the best

Highlights the uniqueness and lack of comparison to even the finest.

FAQs

What is the grammatical issue with the phrase "more than best"?

The phrase "more than best" is grammatically incorrect because "best" is already a superlative adjective, indicating the highest degree. Using "more than" with a superlative creates a redundant comparison. It's similar to saying something is "more than unique", which doesn't make sense.

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

You can use alternatives like "better than the best", "superior to the best", or "exceeding the best" depending on the context.

Is "more than best" ever acceptable in formal writing?

Given its grammatical issues and the availability of clearer alternatives, "more than best" is generally not acceptable in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and grammatically sound expressions.

How can I effectively convey exceeding expectations without using "more than best"?

Focus on using strong verbs and clear adjectives. For example, you could say something "surpasses", "outperforms", or "transcends" the best available options. Use phrases like "a cut above" or "above and beyond" to emphasize exceptional quality.