very much better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very much better" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a significant improvement in comparison to something else. Example: "After the renovations, the restaurant is very much better than it was before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Later travel writing is very much better.

The Guardian - Books

And it's very much better I think.

The Guardian

With the regular exercise I feel very much better.

Harvard University

The whole company is very much better in Forsythe's Workwithinwork.

Independent

Chiwanga added: "We're very much better than before.

The Guardian

One is also very much better than the other.

The Guardian - Books

Very much better is to use a simple construction.

The Guardian

In another respect, though, we are very much better off than our ancestors were.

Independent

"It's hard to see the situation getting very much better," he says.

The Guardian

And DiCaprio is very much better than in his other recent role, Gangs of New York.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

There are seven response options, ranging from 'very much better' to 'very much worse'.

BJU International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very much better" to emphasize a significant and noticeable improvement or preference, ensuring the context clearly establishes what is being compared.

Common error

Avoid using "very much better" when a simpler "much better" or "significantly better" suffices. Overuse can weaken the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very much better" functions as an adverbial intensifier modifying the adjective "better". It serves to strengthen the degree of improvement or preference being expressed, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "very much better" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to emphasize a significant improvement or preference. According to Ludwig, it functions as an adverbial intensifier, strengthening the adjective "better". It is versatile, appearing in news, scientific publications, and general media, maintaining a neutral register. To avoid redundancy, consider simpler alternatives like "much better" when the added emphasis isn't necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly improved

Emphasizes the degree of improvement more directly.

considerably superior

Highlights the higher quality or standing.

markedly better

Indicates a noticeable and distinct improvement.

substantially enhanced

Focuses on the increase in value or quality.

appreciably greater

Suggests a measurable or noticeable increase in quantity or quality.

vastly improved

Highlights a large degree of improvement.

noticeably better

Indicates the improvement is easily seen.

distinctly better

Emphasizes the clarity of the improvement.

infinitely better

Highlights a boundless or immeasurable level of improvement.

immeasurably superior

Indicates a degree of superiority that is beyond calculation or comparison.

FAQs

How can I use "very much better" in a sentence?

Use "very much better" to highlight a considerable improvement compared to a previous state or alternative. For example, "After the new training program, employee performance is "very much better"".

What are some alternatives to saying "very much better"?

You can use alternatives such as "significantly improved", "considerably superior", or "markedly better" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "very much better"?

Yes, "very much better" is grammatically correct and widely used to emphasize a substantial improvement. However, ensure it fits the context and doesn't sound redundant.

What is the difference between "much better" and "very much better"?

"Very much better" intensifies the degree of improvement compared to "much better". Use "very much better" when you want to strongly emphasize the improvement or preference.