more than ideal

USAGE SUMMARY

"more than ideal" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is a comparative phrase used to indicate that something is greater than or exceeds expectations. For example, "The vacation was more than ideal; it was a dream come true."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"It was more than ideal," Ms. MacKinnon said.

The New York Times

"If I weighed 4 or 5 pounds more than ideal, I could see I was slower than my competitors".

The New York Times

He is more than ideal for new political justice of the West.

Huffington Post

In the CON group, mean measurement was 90° for tibial slope, which is 4° more than ideal of 86°.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Women were classified into three categories based on pre-pregnancy BMI-specific U.S. Institute of Medicine Guidelines [ 34]: (1) gained less than ideal weight, (2) gained ideal weight, and (3) gained more than ideal weight.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Since then, however, nearly all students interviewed here described shades of gray, addressing practical concerns more than ideals.

The New York Times

According to Fig. 2, the amount of the obtained work in the ideal Stirling cycle is more than the ideal Carnot cycle.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

It's the simplest thing to throw together and because I know it will be enjoyed to the last mouthful, I have probably made it more often than ideal.

Independent

Our ideal types are grounded in empirical data and one informant could contribute data to more than one ideal type [ 20].

BMC Public Health

Poor old Ken, by contrast, is not permitted to be much more than an ideal date.

The New York Times

Benitez was slumping then, tired after a busy first month after a spring training in which he reported at 260 pounds, 25 more than his ideal weight.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more than ideal" to convey that something isn't just satisfactory, but remarkably better than expected. It adds emphasis and a positive tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "more than ideal" too frequently in your writing. While it's a strong expression, overuse can diminish its impact. Opt for synonyms like "exceptional" or "outstanding" to diversify your language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than ideal" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to modify a noun or pronoun, indicating that something exceeds the standard of being ideal. As Ludwig AI points out, it serves to elevate the description beyond simple satisfaction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more than ideal" is a comparative expression used to describe something that surpasses expectations or is exceptionally good. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its use in adding emphasis to descriptive writing. While it appears more frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts, remember that alternatives like "exceeds expectations" or ""better than perfect"" can diversify your writing. Keep in mind to avoid overuse and use it strategically to convey a strong sense of approval or satisfaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeds expectations

Focuses on surpassing what was initially anticipated.

surpasses the ideal

Emphasizes going beyond a perfect standard.

better than perfect

Highlights a superior quality compared to perfection.

beyond optimal

Suggests a state exceeding the best possible condition.

exceptional

Indicates an outstanding or unusual quality.

outstanding

Highlights a remarkable and superior quality.

remarkable

Focuses on being worthy of attention due to excellence.

unparalleled

Implies a state of being unmatched or unequaled.

second to none

Expresses the highest quality, without equal.

unsurpassed

Indicates a level of achievement that has not been exceeded.

FAQs

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

You can use "more than ideal" to describe situations or outcomes that are not just good, but exceptionally so. For instance, "The weather for our picnic was "better than perfect", it was more than ideal."

What's a good alternative to "more than ideal"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "exceeds expectations", "surpasses the ideal", or ""better than perfect"".

Is "more than ideal" formal or informal?

The phrase "more than ideal" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it's more commonly found in descriptive writing where emphasis is desired. You can also check alternatives like "exceptional" or "outstanding".

When is it appropriate to use "more than ideal"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that something is not just satisfactory but surpasses expectations. For example, "The collaborative result was "better than perfect" – more than ideal – leading to innovative solutions."