on a better note

USAGE SUMMARY

'on a better note' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to transition from one topic to a new, more positive one. For example: The news of the pandemic has been overwhelmingly negative. But on a better note, we've seen a large increase in people volunteering at their local food banks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

It makes you want to go out there and end it on a better note.

The New York Times - Sports

"We've got to get ourselves on a roll and go home on a better note.

The New York Times - Sports

Or will he want another chance to end his career on a better note?

The New York Times

When I do finish I want to finish on a better note.

The Guardian - Sport

But our trip to Na Hang certainly could not have ended on a better note.

The New York Times

Back home, Obama looked to be ending the year on a better note than its shaky start.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The outcome eliminated one nightmare scenario for Democrats: If Menendez had been convicted and compelled to leave office before January, Republican governor Chris Christie would have appointed his replacement giving him a better note to end on than squabbling with voters in his posh Northern New Jersey town.

Vice

On a slightly better note, the government's weekly reading on unemployment showed fewer jobless claims than the prior week, and continuing claims continued to dip, falling to just over 6.7 million.

Forbes

Leading shares suffered their worst month since February 2009, despite May ending on a slightly better note.

The Guardian - Business

That interaction ended on a much better note, with Apple caving to Swift (and the industry's) demands.

Forbes

Shayne ended on an even better note, winning the last round.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on a better note" as a transitional phrase to signal a shift from negative or neutral information to something more positive or encouraging. This helps to maintain reader engagement and a balanced perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "on a better note" if there isn't a preceding negative or neutral context. This phrase works best when it serves as a contrast to previous information, not as a standalone positive statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a better note" functions as a transitional phrase, serving to introduce a more positive or favorable aspect of a topic. It signals a shift in focus from something less desirable to something more encouraging, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on a better note" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to transition to a more positive aspect of a topic. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity and provides examples of its usage in various contexts, predominantly in news and media. It serves the purpose of encouraging, offering a contrasting perspective, or redirecting a conversation towards a more optimistic outlook. To ensure clarity, it is recommended to use the phrase following a negative or neutral statement. As identified, suitable alternatives include "on the upside" and "in a more positive light". Therefore, use "on a better note" to guide your audience towards optimism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the upside

A more concise way to introduce a positive element or advantage.

in a more positive light

Focuses on presenting something in a more favorable way; emphasizes perspective shift.

on a more optimistic front

Similar to "on a better note" but emphasizes optimism and future prospects.

turning to a brighter side

Highlights the act of shifting focus to a more optimistic aspect; emphasizes a deliberate change in outlook.

shifting to a positive aspect

Emphasizes the change from one aspect to another, specifically highlighting the positive.

to end on a high point

Focuses specifically on concluding something positively, rather than transitioning.

to strike a more cheerful chord

Shifts the tone towards a more cheerful one.

with a silver lining

Implies that even in a negative situation, there is a positive aspect to consider.

changing gears to something positive

Highlights the transition to a positive subject, emphasizing a change in focus.

let's look at the bright side

An invitation to focus on the positive aspects of a situation; emphasizes shared perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "on a better note" in a sentence?

Use "on a better note" to introduce a more positive aspect or topic after discussing something negative or neutral. For example, "The project faced several challenges, but "on a better note", the team learned valuable lessons."

What are some alternatives to saying "on a better note"?

You can use phrases like "on the upside", "in a more positive light", or "turning to a brighter side" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to have a negative context before using "on a better note"?

While it's most effective as a contrast, you can use ""on a better note"" after a neutral statement to shift the focus to something positive. However, its impact is diminished if there's no prior context.

Can "on a better note" be used at the beginning of a communication?

It's generally better to establish some context first. Starting with ""on a better note"" might confuse the reader or listener if they don't know what you're contrasting it with.