we may better

USAGE SUMMARY

'we may better' is not a correct sentence in written English.
You could say, "We may do better." For example, "We may do better on our next test if we study more."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

By understanding the factors that lead a patient to choose surgery, we may better understand the decision-making process, improve outcomes, and provide more effective care.

PM&R

According to a news release from Intel, "Mimi believes that through research such as hers, we may better understand the genes that contribute to behavioral variations in humans".

The New York Times

If we shift our efforts toward mapping incentives, we may better determine the suitability of content for action — and create more lasting social and business change in the process.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

For example, tropical regions are affected more strongly by ENSO, and while they may be at a higher risk for certain hazards, that also means that we may better anticipate these hazards and prepare for them.

Columbia University

And even if it turns out that negotiation gets us nowhere with a particular group, talking and listening can help us to better understand why the group wants to fight us, so that we may better fight it.

The New York Times

Gibson asks us to observe the spectacle of spilled viscera, limbs in flight, rats feasting on mortal flesh, and one soldier using the sundered torso of another as a shield, so that we may better comprehend the faith that upholds Doss, inspiring him to bind the wounds of his friends (and even, in one stirring instance, his foe).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

As the gadgets get better, we may get better.

HuffPost

In such cases, we may identify better drug targets, against which we can expect compounds with better efficacy and less side effects.

BMC Biology

With respect to epilepsy, we are looking to better characterize and model seizures from patients with refractory epilepsy so that we may provide better treatments.

Stanford University

Different emotions may be better suited to different contexts a work lunch, a football game, a meditation class and we may fare better in these situations if our emotional life is more flexible.

University of California, Berkeley

"But we may be better defensively.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical correctness, rephrase "we may better" as "we can do better" or "we are better able to". This ensures clarity and adherence to standard English.

Common error

Avoid placing adverbs directly between modal verbs (like "may") and other verbs. Instead, use constructions such as "we may be better able to" or "we can better understand" to maintain proper grammar.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we may better" functions as an attempted expression of potential improvement. However, it is grammatically flawed. According to Ludwig AI, the structure is incorrect, and standard English prefers alternative phrasing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

31%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we may better" is a grammatically questionable construction that appears across various sources, including Science, News & Media, and Academia. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrasing is considered incorrect in standard English. While the intention is to express a potential for improvement, it's more appropriate to use alternatives like "we can improve", "we are better able to", or "we might improve". The presence of this phrase in authoritative sources suggests that while common, it should be used with caution, favoring grammatically sound alternatives for clearer communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are better able to

Rearranges the sentence to use the correct expression "better able to".

we might improve

Replaces 'may' with 'might', suggesting possibility with a slightly lower degree of certainty.

we could improve

Substitutes 'may' with 'could', indicating a conditional possibility for improvement.

we might do better

Uses the idiom "do better" with the conditional "might".

we can improve

Focuses on the possibility of improvement, omitting the modal verb 'may' and using 'can' to show ability.

we can better understand

Adds 'understand' to clarify the area of improvement.

we can do better

Uses the idiom "do better" as an alternative to "improve".

we are able to improve

Emphasizes the ability to improve.

we should improve

Expresses a recommendation or obligation to improve.

we will improve

Indicates a future intention to improve.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "we may better" in a sentence?

The phrase "we may better" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. You can correct it by using phrases like "we can improve", "we are better able to", or "we might improve" depending on the intended meaning.

Is "we may better" grammatically correct?

No, "we may better" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "we can do better" or "we are better able to".

What is a more formal alternative to "we may better"?

For a more formal tone, replace "we may better" with "we are better able to" or "we can more effectively". These options provide a clearer and more grammatically sound expression.

What's the difference between "we may better" and "we can better understand"?

"We may better" is grammatically incorrect, while "we can better understand" is a correct and clear way to express the idea of improving understanding. The latter phrase uses "can" to denote ability and correctly places the adverb "better".