that's better

USAGE SUMMARY

"that's better" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is a colloquial expression used to indicate improvement or change for the positive. It can be used in a variety of situations, such as giving feedback, expressing satisfaction, or suggesting an alternative. Here is an example: "After weeks of practice, Sarah finally mastered the piano piece. She played it for her teacher, who smiled and said, 'That's better!'" In this example, the teacher is expressing satisfaction and acknowledging Sarah's improvement.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"More water, that's better".

The New York Times

O.K., that's better.

The New York Times

Yes, that's better.

The Guardian - Sport

Ahhh! Gosh, that's better.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mmm – a swashbuckler that's better.

The Guardian - Music

"Jeez, that's better," Dad says.

The New Yorker

"A room that's better for him".

The New Yorker

For me, that's better than anything".

The Guardian - Sport

Okay, that's better.

TechCrunch

(That's better).

The New York Times

That's better, Mallon said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that's better" to acknowledge an improvement or express satisfaction, especially after a correction or adjustment.

Common error

Avoid using "that's better" in highly formal or academic writing; opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "that's an improvement" or "that's preferable" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that's better" primarily functions as an exclamatory expression, used to indicate satisfaction or acknowledgement of improvement. As Ludwig highlights, it's commonly used in conversational contexts to provide positive feedback or express approval after a change.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that's better" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate satisfaction or acknowledgement of an improvement. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's primarily used in informal contexts, such as news and media, to provide positive feedback. While versatile, it's best to use more formal alternatives in academic or professional settings. Key alternatives include "that's an improvement" and "that's preferable". Keep in mind to avoid overuse in formal writing to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's an improvement

Emphasizes the idea of progress being made.

that's preferable

Highlights that something is more desirable than another option.

that's more like it

Indicates something is now meeting expectations.

that's a step up

Highlights the progress made.

that's more acceptable

Indicates something has reached an appropriate level.

that's a good start

Signals the beginning of an advancement.

that's progressing well

Suggests satisfactory advancement.

that's getting there

Implies that something is approaching the desired state.

that's an upgrade

Highlights the idea of an enhancement.

that's an advantage

Focuses on the beneficial aspect of the change.

FAQs

What does "that's better" mean?

The phrase "that's better" indicates an improvement or a more desirable state compared to a previous one. It's a way of expressing satisfaction with a change.

How can I use "that's better" in a sentence?

You can use "that's better" after someone corrects a mistake or makes a positive change. For example, "You adjusted the settings, "that's better"!"

What can I say instead of "that's better"?

You can use alternatives like "that's an improvement", "that's preferable", or "that's more like it" depending on the context.

Is "that's better" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "that's better" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's best to use more professional alternatives such as "that is an improvement" or "that is preferable".