on a better path

USAGE SUMMARY

"on a better path" is a valid phrase and can be used in written English.
For example: After making some positive changes to his life, John is now on a better path.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Mr. Brown could have put California on a better path.

The New York Times

"If it helps get the country on a better path, well, we're all in this together".

The New York Times

It promised to disrupt the payday industry by setting borrowers with poor credit on a better path.

The New Yorker

"We are on a better path thanks in no small measure to Larry's wise counsel," Mr. Obama said in a statement on Tuesday.

The New York Times

But for this parliament, we work together to fix the problems we face and put the country on a better path.

Independent

"He is completely honest and is passionate about serving his fellow Afghans and setting Afghanistan on a better path," Mr. Pont wrote in an e-mail.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

But we can and must fight the numb helplessness that might allow these acts to ever feel "normal". We must keep ourselves alive to the shock and the pain, and stay focused on finding a better path for our society.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Had planned to be a shoe salesman; jury out on whether that was a better path.

Independent

We know that alternatives exist – indeed, late last year the International Energy Agency said that for the poorest people on earth, solar energy was a better path even than cheap coal for getting the energy they desperately need.

The Guardian

The mission in Afghanistan, Mr. Panetta said, is "on a far better path" than it was four years ago.

The New York Times

But while environmentalists have lamented America's slow response to climate change, the United States is actually on a much better path than Europe.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on a better path", ensure the context clearly establishes what the previous negative situation was and how the current actions are leading to improvement. This provides clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "on a better path" to describe situations that are already positive and stable. The phrase implies a change from a negative state to a positive one, not simply a state of ongoing success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a better path" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a verb or noun, indicating a direction or state of positive progression or improvement. It suggests a change from a previous, less desirable situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on a better path" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a positive shift or improvement in a situation or person's life. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage, indicating its role in expressing optimism and hope. Predominantly found in news, academic and business sources, this phrase signifies progress following a period of difficulty. When employing "on a better path", ensure the context is clear about the previous negative state and how current actions are fostering improvement. Avoid misusing it in situations that are already positive. Alternatives include "headed in a positive direction" or "making positive progress". Overall, "on a better path" is a versatile phrase for communicating advancement and recovery.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

headed in a positive direction

Replaces 'path' with 'direction' and uses 'headed' to emphasize movement.

making positive progress

Focuses on the 'progress' aspect, suggesting advancement towards a goal.

moving towards improvement

Highlights the act of 'moving' and the state of 'improvement'.

on the road to recovery

Specifically implies recovering from a negative situation.

advancing in a favorable manner

Uses more formal language to convey progression.

gaining ground positively

Emphasizes the 'gaining' of advantages or progress.

making strides forward

Implies significant and noticeable advancements.

turning things around

Suggests a complete reversal of a negative situation.

experiencing upward mobility

Focuses on social or economic advancement.

on a more promising course

Substitutes 'path' with 'course' and highlights the element of 'promise'.

FAQs

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

You can use "on a better path" to describe a situation or person that is recovering or improving after a period of difficulty. For example, "After getting help, he is finally "on a better path"."

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

Some alternatives include "headed in a positive direction", "making positive progress", or "moving towards improvement", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to be "on the road to recovery" compared to "on a better path"?

"On the road to recovery" specifically refers to recovering from illness, injury, or addiction. "On a better path" is a more general phrase that indicates improvement in any area, not necessarily related to health.

Is it correct to say someone is "on a good path" instead of "on a better path"?

Yes, "on a good path" is grammatically correct and means someone is generally making positive choices. "On a better path" implies a change from a less desirable direction to a more favorable one, indicating improvement or recovery from a negative situation.