this is better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is better" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare one thing to another. For example, "I tried the strawberry cake, but compared to the chocolate one, this is better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"But this is better".

The New York Times

"This is better".

The New York Times - Sports

This is better than nothing.

The Economist

Next! Ooh, this is better.

Independent

This is better than that.

Independent

Yeah, this is better".

The New York Times

Ah, this is better.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This is better for the thrill.

The New York Times - Sports

"This is better than school," he said.

The New York Times

This is better than the reverse.

The New Yorker

"I promise you this is better".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is better" to clearly and concisely express a preference or highlight an improvement. Ensure the context makes it clear what is being compared.

Common error

Avoid using "this is better" without specifying what the subject is better than. A vague comparison can confuse readers. Provide context for clarity.

Linguistic Context

"This is better" functions as a comparative statement. It evaluates a subject against another, implying a favorable difference. Ludwig AI examples show its use in expressing preferences, improvements, and advantages across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

14%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is better" is a common and grammatically correct way to express preference or improvement. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, mainly within News & Media sources. When using "this is better", make sure to specify the subject of comparison for clarity. Alternative phrases like "this is preferable" or "this is an improvement" can be used for nuanced expression. Therefore, "this is better" remains a versatile and useful phrase in English communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is preferable

Replaces "better" with "preferable", emphasizing choice and desirability.

this is the better option

Adds "option" to clarify that a choice is being made between alternatives.

this is superior

Substitutes "better" with "superior", highlighting a higher quality or standard.

this is a marked improvement

Strengthens the idea of improvement by adding the adjective "marked".

this is an improvement

Changes the phrase to focus on the act of improving, rather than a direct comparison.

this is a step up

Uses a more informal idiom to indicate advancement or progress.

this is more desirable

Emphasizes the attractiveness and appeal of the subject being compared.

this is advantageous

Highlights the benefits and positive aspects of the subject.

this represents progress

Shifts the focus to the idea of advancement and forward movement.

this is a cut above

Employs an idiomatic expression to denote higher quality or status.

FAQs

How can I use "this is better" in a sentence?

Use "this is better" to compare two or more things, indicating a preference. For example, "I tried both routes, and "this is better" because it's shorter."

What's a more formal way to say "this is better"?

In formal contexts, you could say "this is preferable" or "this represents an improvement". These options sound more professional and refined.

What can I say instead of "this is better" to emphasize a large difference?

To emphasize a significant difference, use phrases like "this is far better", "this is significantly better", or "this is a marked improvement".

Is it always necessary to specify what something is better than when using "this is better"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying what something is better than provides crucial context. If the comparison isn't obvious, clarify it to avoid confusion. For instance, instead of just saying ""this is better"", say "This solution is better than the previous one".