streets ahead

USAGE SUMMARY

"streets ahead" is a valid phrase in written English.
It's used to indicate that something is much better than the competition, as in "This new product is streets ahead of all the other options available."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The Passenger" is streets ahead.

The New Yorker

She is streets ahead of me.

The New York Times

My grandchildren are streets ahead of me.

The Guardian

Howling Howard Dean was streets ahead of the pack.

The Economist

Are car manufacturers streets ahead in green technology?

The Guardian

He's streets ahead of his American counterpart too.

The Guardian

But she is streets ahead of everyone else".

The Guardian

Fifty years ago, teledrama was streets ahead of British cinema.

The Guardian

He is streets ahead in terms of provocative, intelligent ideas.

The Guardian - Books

"They're still streets ahead of English teams right now".

The Guardian - Sport

And in quality of life, it's streets ahead.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "streets ahead" to emphasize a clear and significant advantage over competitors or alternatives, ensuring the context supports this strong comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "streets ahead" excessively in casual conversation. While the phrase is widely understood, overuse can make your language sound cliché or forced. Opt for simpler alternatives like "much better" or "far superior" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "streets ahead" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of being significantly superior or more advanced. Ludwig's examples confirm this usage, showing it employed to describe products, performance, or capabilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "streets ahead" is an adjective phrase signifying significant superiority. It is grammatically sound and frequently used, particularly in news and media. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is valid in written English. While versatile, it's best used to describe scenarios where a considerable advantage exists. Be mindful of overuse in overly formal contexts, where alternatives might be more suitable. In conclusion, the expression is a strong and effective way to communicate a noticeable lead or advancement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

far superior

Emphasizes a greater degree of superiority.

much better

A more general expression of being better.

way ahead

Focuses on the extent of advancement.

a cut above

Implies being of higher quality or class.

head and shoulders above

Suggests a significant difference in quality or ability.

in a league of its own

Highlights uniqueness and unmatched quality.

light years ahead

Emphasizes a vast difference in progress or innovation.

markedly superior

Highlights a noticeable and significant difference in quality.

significantly better

Indicates an important and impactful improvement.

vastly improved

Focuses on the large extent of improvement achieved.

FAQs

How can I use "streets ahead" in a sentence?

You can use "streets ahead" to indicate that something is far superior or much greater than something else. For example, "Their new product is "streets ahead" of the competition."

What are some alternatives to saying "streets ahead"?

Some alternatives include "far superior", "much better", or "way ahead", depending on the context.

Is "streets ahead" appropriate for formal writing?

While "streets ahead" is widely understood, it may be more appropriate for informal or journalistic writing. In formal academic or business contexts, consider using alternatives like "significantly superior" or "markedly more advanced."

What does it mean when something is described as "streets ahead"?

When something is "streets ahead", it means that it is considerably more advanced, better, or superior compared to its competitors or alternatives. It suggests a significant gap in quality or progress.