neater than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "neater than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when making a comparison between the tidiness or organization of two or more things. Example: "Her desk is neater than mine, making it easier for her to find what she needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

"You are neater than me.

The New Yorker

Royal's tours are neater than most.

The New Yorker

They are cleaner & neater than the nomads.

The New Yorker

The finished object is always neater than expected.

The Guardian - Books

I tend to be neater than most people".

The New York Times

The final product worked well and as a bonus, looked much neater than we expected.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Until now, I'd only seen on-board car vacuums in two incarnations: a dog I once had, who would eat anything and was more than willing to stick her snout in places that I'd be afraid to put my hand, and a take-along Dustbuster that one neater-than-I-am friend keeps plugged in in her car — effective, but a little inconvenient in the front seat.

The New York Times

Mr. Martin's timing with the punch bowl was less neat than he would have liked.

The New York Times

"It's much more clean and neat than what you would expect," Vera said, as the Jeep bumped along.

Harvard University

The framing ensembles for four men and four women, though high in energy and smartly focused, are surely more neat than their music.

The New York Times - Arts

That evolution is less neat than an author might like, but Bentley has a light touch and makes no attempt to box her rebels in.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing levels of tidiness, ensure the objects or subjects being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "His report is "neater than" hers in terms of formatting and clarity."

Common error

Avoid using "neater than" when you simply mean "neat". For instance, instead of saying "That's "neater than"", say "That's neat" or "That's well-organized" if there is no explicit comparison being made.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "neater than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, used to indicate that one thing possesses a higher degree of neatness compared to another. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

10%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "neater than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative expression. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is an effective way to compare the level of tidiness or organization between two subjects. Predominantly found in news and media, its use extends to academic and informal settings. When writing, ensure a clear comparison is being made and consider alternatives like "tidier than" or "more organized than" for specific nuances. Avoid using it in non-comparative contexts to maintain clarity and precision in your writing. "Neater than" provides a versatile tool for expressing relative cleanliness and order across various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tidier than

Focuses specifically on the degree of tidiness.

more organized than

Emphasizes the level of organization rather than just cleanliness.

cleaner and more orderly than

Combines cleanliness and order in the comparison.

more immaculate than

Suggests a higher degree of cleanliness and perfection.

more spick-and-span than

An idiom emphasizing extreme cleanliness.

better kept than

Highlights the maintenance and upkeep aspect.

less cluttered than

Focuses on the absence of clutter.

more shipshape than

An idiom suggesting a high level of order and readiness.

more fastidious than

Indicates a higher level of attention to detail in cleanliness.

more well-groomed than

More about personal appearance and neatness.

FAQs

How can I use "neater than" in a sentence?

Use "neater than" to compare the tidiness or organization of two things. For example, "Her desk is "neater than" his", or "This solution is "neater than" the previous one".

What's a good alternative to "neater than"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use alternatives like "tidier than", "more organized than", or "more orderly than".

Is "neater than" formal or informal?

"Neater than" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, consider using alternatives like "more organized than" for a more sophisticated tone.

When should I use "neater than" versus "more organized than"?

Use "neater than" when referring to general tidiness or cleanliness. Use "more organized than" when specifically referring to the arrangement and structure of something.