things to be better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things to be better" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an incomplete thought and would typically need to be rephrased for clarity and grammatical accuracy. Example: "We need to focus on things that can be better in our project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Things to be better!

The Guardian

They want things to be better for you.

The New York Times

"I want things to be better for my family.

The New York Times

I want things to be better all the time.

The Guardian

"If we want things to be better, we need to do it ourselves".

The Economist

I want things to be better for other people than it was for me.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"If things were to be better, we know exactly what we'd do.

The New York Times

"We're at a position where it feels as though things ought to be better.

The New York Times

But now that things seem to be better in Liberia, maybe our red light will be fixed again".

Unicef

There are things we need to be better at, things we need to do better, concentrate better and hope everybody plays to their capabilities.

BBC

Things are unlikely to be better now.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing a desire for improvement, consider using grammatically correct alternatives such as "for things to improve" or "that things get better" for clearer communication.

Common error

Ensure your sentences are grammatically complete and clear. Instead of stating "things to be better", specify how you want things to improve or what needs to be better.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things to be better" functions as an incomplete nominal phrase, expressing a desire or need for improvement. Ludwig AI indicates that this is grammatically incorrect in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

14%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "things to be better" is frequently encountered, it's important to note that it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase often appears in informal contexts, particularly in news and media. For clarity and grammatical accuracy, consider using alternatives such as "for things to improve" or "that things get better". These alternatives offer clearer communication and are more appropriate for formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for things to improve

This alternative focuses on the action of improvement itself, making the sentence grammatically sound.

that things get better

This construction uses "get" to indicate a change in state, resulting in a clearer and more common expression.

for improvements to happen

This version directly addresses "improvements" as the subject, providing a more specific and structured sentence.

for a better state of affairs

This option shifts the focus to the overall condition, offering a more formal and comprehensive approach.

for a positive change

This alternative employs a simpler and more direct expression, emphasizing the desired outcome.

for things to turn around

This phrase provides a more idiomatic expression, suggesting a reversal of negative circumstances.

for a turn for the better

This option focuses on the specific act of improvement, creating a concise and impactful statement.

to see better outcomes

This construction emphasizes the results of improvement, providing a more goal-oriented perspective.

for things to be optimal

This alternative uses a more technical term to indicate the best possible condition.

for things to be rectified

This version suggests correcting something that is wrong, offering a more specific and actionable approach.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "things to be better" to make it grammatically correct?

You can rephrase it as "for "things to improve"" or "that "things get better"", depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to saying "things to be better"?

Some alternatives include "for a better state of affairs", "for a positive change", or "for things to turn around".

Is it correct to say "things to be better" in formal writing?

No, in formal writing, it's best to use grammatically correct phrases like "for things to improve" or "that "things get better"" to ensure clarity and professionalism.

How does the phrase "things to be better" differ from "things to improve"?

"Things to improve" is a more direct and grammatically sound phrase. ""Things to be better"" is less structured and can sound incomplete; therefore, ""things to improve"" or similar alternatives are preferred.