should be better than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be better than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the quality or performance of one thing to another, suggesting that the first should exceed the second in some way. Example: "This new software update should be better than the previous version in terms of speed and functionality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We should be better than that.

The New York Times

America should be better than this.

The New York Times

We should be better than this.

Independent

It should be better than last season.

The New York Times - Sports

I should be better than that.

The Guardian - Sport

Both teams should be better than this.

The New York Times - Sports

I should be better than this.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Your friends should be better than you.

The New York Times

Either one should be better than nothing".

The New York Times

They should be better than that.

The Guardian

Should be better than reappearance, and looks interesting.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be better than", ensure that the comparison is clear and specific. Avoid vague statements and clearly define what aspect is expected to be superior.

Common error

Avoid using "should be better than" merely as an opinion without supporting evidence or logical reasoning. Provide context or reasoning to strengthen the claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be better than" functions as a comparative expression, indicating an expectation or requirement for one thing to surpass another in quality or performance. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is used to make a comparative statement about expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should be better than" is a commonly used comparative expression that conveys an expectation or requirement for something to surpass another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science and Formal & Business. To enhance clarity, it's advisable to specify the aspects of comparison. When writing, make sure the claim is supported by evidence to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be superior to

Implies a moral obligation or correctness in being better.

is expected to surpass

Focuses on anticipated future performance exceeding a current standard.

needs to outperform

Highlights a requirement for better performance.

must exceed

Emphasizes a necessity to be better.

has to be an improvement on

Highlights the aspect of positive change and progress.

is required to be of a higher standard than

Conveys a formal demand for superior quality.

is anticipated to be an upgrade from

Specifically refers to a new version or iteration being better.

is predicted to be more effective than

Emphasizes the expected efficacy of something compared to something else.

is projected to exceed the capabilities of

Highlights a forecast of superior capabilities.

should be a step up from

Suggests a progression to a better level or condition.

FAQs

How can I use "should be better than" in a sentence?

Use "should be better than" to express an expectation or requirement of superiority. For example, "The new model "should be better than" the old one in terms of fuel efficiency."

What are some alternatives to saying "should be better than"?

You can use alternatives like "ought to be superior to", "is expected to surpass", or "needs to outperform" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "should be better than" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "is required to be of a higher standard than" in highly formal contexts.

How does "should be better than" differ from "could be better than"?

"Should be better than" expresses a stronger expectation or obligation, while "could be better than" suggests a possibility or potential.