tidier than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tidier than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when making a comparison between the neatness or organization of two or more things. Example: "Her room is tidier than mine, which is always a mess."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

She was seeking a moral universe tidier than her own.

The Guardian - Books

This is my desk - much tidier than usual.

The Guardian - Books

"I meet a lot of young people who are much tidier than you would expect.

Independent

My apartment, for instance, has rarely looked tidier than it does at the moment.

The New Yorker

And he was tidier than the other cowboys in the Marvel catalogue".

The New Yorker

SUBURBS don't come much tidier than Chino Hills, 30 miles (50 km) east of downtown Los Angeles.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Still, the philosophical story is actually far less tidy than it appears.

The New York Times

It's pointless to suggest that women's deepest notions of the division between sex and procreation are not far less tidy than men's.

Independent

It's a useful reminder that the reality of building houses — and countries — can be a lot less tidy than the stories we tell afterward.

The New York Times - Books

Soldiers speak of "the fog of war" — the disorienting confusion of battle so infinitely less tidy than the arrows and rectangles on the maps of briefers and historians.

The New Yorker

I've only ever stopped shaving during exams, but "the beard of wisdom" grown during my A-Levels took more time to keep clean and tidy than shaving.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tidier than", ensure you're comparing two specific things or situations to make the comparison clear and effective.

Common error

Avoid using "tidier than" when there's no explicit comparison. Instead of saying "This room is tidier than ever", specify what it's tidier than: "This room is "tidier than" it was last week."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tidier than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to compare the relative tidiness of two nouns. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tidier than" is a grammatically sound and commonly used comparative phrase to indicate that something is neater or more organized compared to something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and appropriate for a variety of contexts. While it has a neutral tone, it is most frequently used in News & Media, Academia and Wiki. Consider alternatives like "neater than" or "more organized than" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Ensure you're making a clear comparison when using the phrase, and avoid using it in absolute statements without a point of reference. As always, context is king!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neater than

A direct synonym, substituting "tidier" with "neater" for a simpler comparison.

more orderly than

Replaces "tidier" with "more orderly", emphasizing a structured arrangement.

more organized than

Focuses on the level of organization rather than just visual tidiness.

more uncluttered than

Focuses on the absence of unnecessary items.

less messy than

Emphasizes the absence of mess rather than the presence of tidiness.

better kept than

Implies a continuous state of being well-maintained, not just currently tidy.

more well-kept than

Highlights the effort put into maintaining tidiness.

more immaculate than

Suggests a higher degree of cleanliness and order.

more spick and span than

An idiom suggesting extreme cleanliness and order.

more shipshape than

Implies a high level of organization, similar to the order on a ship.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "tidier than" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "more orderly than", "better maintained than", or "more organized than" to convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone. For example, instead of saying "His desk is "tidier than" mine", you could say "His desk is "more orderly than" mine".

What's a simple synonym for "tidier than"?

A simple synonym is "neater than". It's a direct substitute that maintains the same meaning in most contexts. For instance, you can say "Her handwriting is "neater than" mine" instead of "Her handwriting is "tidier than" mine".

Is "tidier than" grammatically correct?

Yes, "tidier than" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard comparative form for adjectives, where "tidier" is the comparative form of "tidy", and "than" introduces the element being compared against.

How does the context affect the choice between "tidier than" and other similar phrases?

The context determines the most appropriate alternative. If you want to emphasize organization, use "more organized than". If you're highlighting cleanliness, consider "more immaculate than". The phrase "tidier than" generally refers to visual neatness, so choose alternatives that align with the specific aspect you want to emphasize.