than ever before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "than ever before" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to compare something to a previous time period or something that has already been mentioned. For example: "The new product sold more units in the first month than ever before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

compensation than ever before.

The New Yorker

More so than ever before".

The New York Times

I trust them more than ever before.

The New York Times

Academic success matters more than ever before.

The Economist

They are unencumbered more than ever before".

The New York Times

POLITICAL jokes travel farther than ever before.

The Economist

She scheduled more dates than ever before.

The New York Times

Uncertainty looks smarter than ever before.

The Economist

Indeed, it matters more than ever before.

The Economist

It is bigger than ever before.

The New York Times

Aircraft are flying fuller than ever before.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "than ever before", ensure the comparison is clear and the context is well-established so that the reader understands what is being compared.

Common error

Avoid using "than ever before" in contexts where the comparison isn't evident. Ensure the reader understands what's being compared to what, to prevent ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "Sales are higher than ever before", specify "Sales this quarter are higher than ever before in the company's history."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "than ever before" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, indicating a higher degree or greater extent compared to all previous instances. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage, confirming its role in comparative constructions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "than ever before" is a versatile and grammatically sound comparative phrase used to emphasize an increase or change compared to all past instances. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and widespread across numerous contexts, including news, science, and business. When using this phrase, ensure that the comparison is clear and the context is well-defined to avoid ambiguity. Consider related phrases like "more than at any previous time" or "to a greater extent than before" for variety, but note that "than ever before" offers a concise and impactful way to highlight significant changes. The frequent and varied usage examples available on Ludwig further illustrate the phrase's adaptability and effectiveness in conveying a sense of unprecedented scale or intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as never before

Slightly more concise and emphatic.

more than at any previous time

Uses a more verbose construction to emphasize the comparison to all previous times.

to a greater extent than before

Focuses on the degree or extent of change compared to the past.

exceeding previous levels

Highlights that the current instance exceeds a past state.

surpassing all past occurrences

Emphasizes that the current instance is superior to all previous ones.

on a scale never before seen

Emphasizes the magnitude of something as unprecedented.

unlike anything seen previously

Highlights the uniqueness and novelty of the current situation.

in unprecedented fashion

Highlights the novelty and irregularity of the current state.

in a way not experienced before

Focuses on the novelty of the experience.

at no time in the past

Expresses that something has never happened before.

FAQs

How can I use "than ever before" in a sentence?

Use "than ever before" to emphasize a comparison with a past state. For instance, "Our website receives more traffic "than ever before"" indicates a notable increase in website traffic compared to all previous periods.

What are some alternatives to "than ever before"?

Alternatives include phrases like "more than at any previous time", "to a greater extent than before", or "surpassing all past occurrences". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "more than ever before"?

Yes, "more than ever before" is grammatically correct and widely used. It's a common way to emphasize that something is happening to a greater degree now compared to the past. You can also use "less than ever before" when indicating the opposite.

What's the difference between "than ever before" and "as never before"?

"Than ever before" directly compares the present to the past, emphasizing a change in degree. "As never before", while similar, can also highlight something that is completely new or unprecedented, without necessarily focusing on a comparative increase.