rather better than

USAGE SUMMARY

"rather better than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare two things, suggesting that one of the things is superior to the other. For example: "This year's exam was much more difficult than last year's - the questions were rather better than last year's."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rather better than previous home secretaries.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

However, NBC did rather better than Dow Jones.

The Economist

Indeed, the mood is rather better than expected.

The Economist

THE islands do rather better than the mainland.

The Economist

But most studies suggest the guarantee targeted the poor rather better than India's other welfare schemes.

The Economist

Yet Mr Corbyn's results from the dugout have been rather better than his detractors have acknowledged.

Independent

But the British market may do rather better than still-stretched valuations suggest.

The Economist

"Robert was doing rather better than we expected him to," she wrote.

The New York Times

The French, some say, understood the Arab world rather better than the neoconservatives did.

The Economist

This goaded the Bangladeshis into a performance rather better than ordinary.

The New York Times - Sports

And we should recognise by now that they know our palates rather better than we do.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather better than" to express a nuanced comparison, indicating that one thing is superior to another, but not overwhelmingly so. It's suitable when the difference is noticeable but not dramatic.

Common error

Avoid using "rather better than" when the difference is substantial. In cases of significant superiority, opt for phrases like "much better than" or "far superior to" to more accurately reflect the magnitude of the difference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather better than" functions as a comparative modifier, indicating that one item or situation is superior to another, but not dramatically so. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather better than" is a versatile comparative phrase used to express a nuanced form of superiority. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It is most frequently found in news, media, scientific, and business contexts, making it suitable for a variety of communication styles. When using this phrase, be mindful of the degree of difference you wish to convey, ensuring that it accurately reflects the relationship between the items being compared. The phrase is a solid option, as long as the user remembers its subtleties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat better than

Indicates a slight degree of improvement or superiority.

significantly superior to

Emphasizes a greater degree of difference in quality or performance.

preferable to

Directly states that one option is more desirable or suitable than another.

noticeably improved compared to

Highlights the aspect of improvement and makes the comparison more explicit.

outperforms

Implies one thing achieves better results or functions more effectively than another.

distinctly advantageous over

Focuses on the benefits and advantages of one option over another.

a cut above

An idiomatic expression that means superior in quality or performance.

markedly more effective than

Stresses the effectiveness and impact of one thing compared to another.

appreciably greater than

Highlights the difference in size or quantity, suggesting it is easily noticed.

exceeds expectations compared to

Highlights that something has surpassed the anticipated level, relative to something else.

FAQs

How can I use "rather better than" in a sentence?

Use "rather better than" to compare two items where one is somewhat superior to the other. For example, "This model performs "rather better than" its predecessor".

What are some alternatives to "rather better than"?

Alternatives include "somewhat better than", "slightly superior to", or "noticeably improved compared to", depending on the context.

Is "rather better than" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "rather better than" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing, as it's a common and well-understood comparative phrase. The level of formality depends more on the overall tone and vocabulary of the piece.

What's the difference between "rather better than" and "much better than"?

"Rather better than" implies a moderate degree of superiority, while "much better than" suggests a significant or substantial difference. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the difference.