we can better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we can better" is not correct in standard written English as it is incomplete and lacks clarity.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express the idea of improving or enhancing something, but it needs to be part of a complete thought. Example: "If we work together, we can better understand the challenges we face."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

With this legislation we can better control immigration".

The New York Times

So hopefully we can better our previous outings".

The Guardian - Sport

Maybe we can better equip you for the next job.

The New York Times

"That way, we can better pair them with a bartender.

The New York Times - Food

"We can better improve traffic without adding infrastructure".

The New York Times

If we can better understand the ecology, then we can better manage them rather than, 'Let's hit them with a bigger sledgehammer.' ".

The New York Times - Science

"I think the value is that we can better understand diseases," he says.

The Guardian

"Since we are more local, we can better serve the people".

The New York Times

If we can better convey the creativity and ingenuity in tech then this will continue.

The Guardian

Then we can better serve the places that need help most.

The Guardian

We educate ourselves about climate change and how we can better adapt to it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Rephrase the sentence to include a verb which works better with "better". For instance, use something like "we can improve". It might be grammatically more sound.

Common error

Avoid using "we can better" without specifying what you're improving upon. Incomplete comparisons can confuse your reader. Instead of saying "we can better", state "we can better serve our customers than our competitors".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we can better" acts as a modal phrase expressing the potential for improvement. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it requires completion to be grammatically correct. Examples show its usage across diverse contexts, such as enhancing understanding or improving services.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we can better" is frequently used across varied sources, including news outlets, scientific publications, and business contexts. Although widespread, Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically incomplete unless followed by a verb and object specifying what is being improved. Therefore, while commonly employed, it's crucial to ensure that "we can better" is used within a complete and grammatically sound sentence. Consider alternatives such as "we can improve" or "we can enhance" to convey your intended meaning with greater clarity and precision. Ensure your writing remains clear, concise, and grammatically correct by completing your comparisons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we could improve

Replaces "can" with "could", suggesting a conditional or hypothetical possibility of improvement.

we might enhance

Substitutes "can better" with "might enhance", indicating a potential for enhancement.

we are able to refine

Emphasizes the capability to refine, implying a more detailed and precise improvement.

we have the ability to ameliorate

Highlights the ability to ameliorate, suggesting an improvement to something negative.

we stand to upgrade

Implies a potential benefit from upgrading something to a higher standard.

we are positioned to advance

Indicates readiness to advance something forward, enhancing its current state.

we can more effectively

Focuses on increasing the effectiveness of an action or process.

we will be in a better position to

Highlights the improved state or advantage gained through a specific action.

we are equipped to boost

Shows readiness and capability to boost or enhance a certain aspect.

it would be advantageous to improve

Emphasizes the advantageous nature of improving something, suggesting a benefit.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we can better" to sound more grammatically correct?

You can replace "we can better" with alternatives such as "we can improve", "we can enhance", or "we can more effectively" followed by the specific action or area you are referring to.

Is "we can better" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, "we can better" is grammatically incorrect in standard written English as it is often used in an incomplete manner. It needs to be followed by a verb and an object to form a complete thought.

What does "we can better" imply in a sentence?

The phrase "we can better" generally implies that there is an opportunity or potential to improve or enhance something. To make the sentence grammatically sound, you need to specify what action you want to improve.

What are some alternatives to "we can better understand"?

Some alternatives include "we can more clearly understand", "we can gain a better understanding of", or "we can develop a deeper understanding of", which provide a clearer and more grammatically correct way to express the idea.