somewhat better than

USAGE SUMMARY

"somewhat better than" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to compare two things or situations, with the first being slightly better than the second. Example: "Although the new version of the software still has some bugs, it is somewhat better than the previous version."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It's somewhat better than before.

The New York Times

The net income was somewhat better than analysts had expected.

The New York Times - Tech

The Iroquoians fared somewhat better than the coastal Algonquians.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Himes called the scallops "somewhat better than lint".

The New York Times - Style

Less than 10% pass it (though Cubans do somewhat better than average).

The Economist

But no worse, and probably somewhat better, than in past primaries.

The New York Times

"The new version is somewhat better than the old, but it's vague.

The New York Times

Other cakes and tarts were ordinary and looked somewhat better than they tasted.

The New York Times

European economies are actually doing somewhat better than most outsiders, myself included, expected.

The New York Times

But the evidence suggests Miliband would be significantly better than Cameron and somewhat better than New Labour.

Independent

All four candidates did somewhat better than in May's round, looking less nervous and trading jibes with more confidence.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "somewhat better than", ensure that the context clearly defines the criteria for 'better'. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat better than" when the difference is substantial. This phrase implies a marginal improvement, and exaggerating it can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat better than" functions primarily as a comparative qualifier. It modifies a statement by indicating that one thing is superior to another, but only to a limited extent. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from evaluating product performance to comparing statistical results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "somewhat better than" is a versatile phrase used to express a qualified degree of superiority. It is considered grammatically correct and finds frequent application in diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic content, as demonstrated by Ludwig. The phrase suits neutral to formal registers, communicating a balanced assessment where an improvement exists but is not overwhelming. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. When employing this phrase, ensure the criteria for 'better' are clearly defined and avoid overstating the degree of improvement to maintain accuracy and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally superior to

Indicates a slight edge, emphasizing the minimal difference in quality or performance.

slightly preferable to

Highlights a mild preference, suggesting the choice is only subtly advantageous.

a tad better than

Uses a colloquial term to express a small degree of improvement, making it informal.

fractionally improved over

Focuses on the incremental increase, emphasizing the small degree of enhancement.

modestly exceeds

Implies a restrained level of outperformance, suitable for formal contexts.

inches ahead of

Suggests a narrow lead or advantage, often used in competitive contexts.

only a cut above

Indicates that something is just negligibly better than the other, emphasizing minimal difference.

a slight upgrade from

Highlights a small improvement in a newer version or model.

minimally surpasses

Formally acknowledges a slight advantage, often used in technical or scientific comparisons.

scarcely surpasses

Emphasizes how little the subject exceeds the other, conveying a small margin.

FAQs

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

Use "somewhat better than" to indicate a slight improvement or advantage. For instance, "The updated model performs "somewhat better than" its predecessor in terms of energy efficiency."

What are some alternatives to "somewhat better than"?

Alternatives include "slightly preferable to", "marginally superior to", or "a tad better than", each conveying a similar sense of mild improvement.

Is it appropriate to use "somewhat better than" in formal writing?

Yes, "somewhat better than" is suitable for formal writing, though alternatives like "modestly exceeds" or "slightly preferable to" may sound more refined.

What's the difference between "slightly better than" and "somewhat better than"?

While both indicate a mild degree of superiority, "somewhat better than" suggests a slightly more noticeable difference than "slightly better than". They are largely interchangeable, but context may favor one over the other.