substantially better than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantially better than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare two or more things, indicating that one is significantly superior to the other. Example: "The new software is substantially better than the previous version in terms of speed and functionality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"None of us are substantially better than our opponents.

The New York Times - Sports

Younger folk in Finland do substantially better than their elders.

The Economist

Since late last year, they said, the economy has performed substantially better than anticipated.

The New York Times

Can the new artificial heart produce a quality of life substantially better than the older models?

The New York Times

Last year was not necessarily good for snowpack, but it was substantially better than 2015.

The Guardian

That is down 72percentt from a year earlier, but substantially better than analysts had forecast.

The New York Times

Expedia said yesterday that its fiscal fourth quarter had been substantially better than anticipated.

The New York Times

It sure beats a gold carriage clock, and is again substantially better than other state employees.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not only did they just announce a big merger, but their earnings were substantially better than anticipated".

The New York Times

At 4.30pm, the FTSE 100 closed down 212 points - a very bad day, but substantially better than feared.

The Guardian - Business

For younger professionals on tighter budgets, "the standard of accommodation here is, in my view, substantially better than Hong Kong".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantially better than" to clearly convey a significant difference or improvement, ensuring your audience understands the magnitude of the advantage.

Common error

Avoid using "substantially better than" when the difference is marginal or subjective. Overusing this phrase can weaken its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially better than" functions as a comparative, used to indicate that one thing is significantly superior to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys a clear distinction between two or more entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "substantially better than" is a frequently used and grammatically sound comparative that signals a significant difference or improvement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. It is suitable for various contexts, from news and media to science and business, and is understood to convey a notable advantage. When writing, remember to use this phrase when there is a real and clear superiority, avoiding overuse to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Significantly superior to

Indicates a notable degree of advantage, similar to the original phrase. There's a focus on the extent of being better.

Considerably improved over

Emphasizes the aspect of enhancement or progress. The attention is on how much something has gotten better, relative to a past state or situation.

Markedly more advanced than

Highlights the advanced nature of one option compared to another. The emphasis is on progress and innovation.

Noticeably better in quality than

Focuses specifically on the improvement in quality, making it easily observable.

Distinctly advantageous compared to

Highlights the benefits and advantages of one option over another in a clear way. There's a focus on the positive aspects.

Materially more effective than

Stresses the practical and tangible improvements in effectiveness. The impact is considered to be significant and real.

Substantively preferable to

Emphasizes the essential and important reasons why one thing is better. There's a focus on the fundamental advantages.

Dramatically outperforms

This phrase implies a very large degree of superiority in terms of performance. There is a focus on performance level.

Considerably surpasses

Implies a significant degree of advantage or excellence. The focus is on the magnitude of the improvement.

Exceeds expectations relative to

Highlights the degree to which something goes beyond what was anticipated or predicted. There's a focus on surprise and exceptional results.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantially better than" to compare two things, indicating a significant difference in quality or performance. For example, "The new model is substantially better than the old one in terms of fuel efficiency".

What are some alternatives to "substantially better than"?

Alternatives include "significantly superior to", "considerably improved over", or "markedly more advanced than", depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "substantially better than" is appropriate for formal writing as it clearly and professionally conveys a significant improvement or advantage.

How does "substantially better than" differ from "slightly better than"?

"Substantially better than" indicates a significant and noticeable difference, while "slightly better than" suggests only a minor or marginal improvement.