that was better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was better" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare a previous situation, action, or item favorably against another. Example: "After trying both dishes, I can confidently say that was better than the first one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

O.K., that was better.

The New York Times

Yes, that was better.

The New Yorker

"For me, that was better than the medal," Mimoun said.

The New York Times - Sports

"And that was better than the job I got".

The New York Times

The Republican won with a higher vote percentage that was better than Trump's.

The Washington Post

To see if we could imagine something that was better and more true to desire".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

O.K., that's better.

The New York Times

"More water, that's better".

The New York Times

Yes, that's better.

The Guardian - Sport

"A room that's better for him".

The New Yorker

"Many that are better than mine.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was better" to directly compare a past action or situation with a more desirable present one, highlighting the improvement. It adds clarity and emphasis to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "that was better" excessively in formal writing; consider more sophisticated alternatives such as "that proved more effective" or "that represented a significant improvement" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was better" functions primarily as a comparative expression. It indicates an improvement or a more favorable outcome compared to a previous state or action. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was better" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express improvement or preference, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts but can also appear in scientific or business settings. While perfectly acceptable, it may be beneficial to consider more formal alternatives like "that was superior" or "that was an improvement" in professional writing to avoid sounding too informal. Ludwig's examples highlight the versatility of the phrase and offer a clear understanding of its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's an improvement

Emphasizes the act of becoming better.

that was preferable

Highlights the aspect of being more desirable.

that was superior

Suggests a higher quality or standard.

that worked out better

Focuses on the improved result or outcome.

that was a step up

Indicates moving to a higher level or position.

that was more effective

Highlights the increased efficiency or success.

that was a positive change

Emphasizes the beneficial aspect of the alteration.

that turned out better

Focuses on the unexpectedly improved result.

that was a welcomed change

Indicates acceptance or appreciation of the improvement.

that exceeded expectations

Suggests that the result was beyond what was anticipated.

FAQs

How can I use "that was better" in a sentence?

Use "that was better" to express satisfaction with an improved situation or outcome. For example, "The second attempt was successful; "that was better" than the first".

What are some alternatives to "that was better"?

You can use alternatives like "that was an improvement", "that was preferable", or "that was superior" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "that was better"?

Yes, "that was better" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express a favorable comparison.

In what contexts is "that was better" most appropriate?

"That was better" is suitable for general conversations and informal writing. For formal settings, consider more precise alternatives such as "that was more effective" or "that was a positive change".