not even better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not even better" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used in contexts where one is comparing something that is not improved or is worse than expected. Example: "I thought the sequel would be great, but it was not even better than the original."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

For all his speed and obvious ability, sportswriters sometimes questioned why Davis was not even better.

The New York Times

They were not even better, a distinction held by the cupcakes and the fake Oreos.

The New York Times - Food

At every World Cup the home nation has achieved what has been expected, and more often than not even better.

Independent

Even so, its stock price fell 1.2percentt because investors were disappointed that the results were not even better.

The New York Times

But not even better structuring could have redeemed broken-doll motions to music-box tinkling and women's heads being thrust into men's crotches.

The New York Times - Arts

Given the wide variety of intersex conditions and the intensely personal issues they raise, not even better data will provide parents with easy answers.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"Sex isn't even better than playing".

The New York Times - Sports

And as much as mobile ad revenues grew in the fourth quarter, some analysts fretted that growth wasn't even better, especially since mobile ads could be supplanting desktop ads.

MIT Technology Review

"I would be disappointed if the next arena that was built wasn't even better in terms of the environment and sustainability," he said.

HuffPost

Make it very, very clear that you don't (even better if you say that you can't ) think of your ex in "that way" any more.

WikiHow

They did not even do better when it came to diseases specifically associated with smoking.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical precision, replace "not even better" with alternatives like "not any better" or "not an improvement" to ensure your writing is grammatically sound.

Common error

Avoid using "not even better" in academic or professional writing. While it appears in some sources, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Opt for clearer and more accepted alternatives like "not any better" or "did not improve."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not even better" functions primarily as a comparative expression to indicate that something has failed to improve or surpass a previous state. Although Ludwig provides examples of its usage, it's important to recognize its grammatical limitations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "not even better" appears in various sources, including news and media, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically not correct in standard written English. It is used to indicate a lack of improvement, but more precise alternatives such as "not any better", "not an improvement", or "did not improve" are recommended for formal writing. Therefore, while its communicative purpose is clear, using "not even better" should be approached with caution, especially in professional or academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not any better

Uses "any" instead of "even" to convey a similar lack of improvement.

not at all better

Emphasizes the absence of improvement using the intensifier "at all".

not remotely better

Suggests that something is not even slightly improved.

not in the least better

Similar to "not at all better", indicating a complete lack of improvement.

not a bit better

Informal way of saying that something is not at all better.

no better

A shorter, more direct way of saying that there is no improvement.

not an improvement

Focuses on the absence of positive change.

not showing improvement

Highlights the lack of progress or positive change.

not improved

A more concise way of stating that something has not gotten better.

remains the same

Indicates that there is no change or betterment.

FAQs

Is "not even better" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "not even better" is not correct in standard written English. It's advisable to use alternatives like "not any better" or "not an improvement".

What's a more formal way to say "not even better"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "did not improve" or "showed no improvement". These alternatives provide clarity and are grammatically correct.

When can I use "not even better"?

While generally discouraged in formal writing, "not even better" might be acceptable in informal conversation or creative writing where a less strict grammatical style is permitted. However, for professional or academic contexts, it's best to use alternatives.

What are some alternatives to "not even better"?

Alternatives include "not any better", "no better", "not an improvement", or "did not improve". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.