what better than

USAGE SUMMARY

"what better than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to express that something is more preferable than something else. For example, "What better than spending time with loved ones on the weekend?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What better than the Church of England?

The Guardian - Opinion

Well, yeah, what better than to make someone laugh?

The New York Times

What better than a Polaroid to carry this message into the Elysée?

The New York Times

What better than a bagel to help things come full circle?

The New York Times - Sports

What better than a sugar rush to speed away all one's cares?

The New Yorker

But what better than a referendum to reunite those two commitments, to Europe and democracy?

The Economist

What better than to have a symbol of American capitalism clasped to Russia's bosom?

The Guardian - Business

What better than an old railroad to show us a way to the future?

The New York Times

And what better than an abrupt about-face to throw them off?

The New York Times

What better than an hour or so of sharing tips and bonding?

The New York Times - Style

What better than an association with the fastest man in the world?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what better than" to introduce a suggestion or option that is considered particularly appealing or beneficial in a given situation. It works well to add emphasis.

Common error

While effective in many situations, avoid using "what better than" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more direct and professional language to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what better than" functions as a rhetorical question used to suggest that a particular option is highly desirable or advantageous. As Ludwig AI states, it's a grammatically correct way to express that something is more preferable than something else. The numerous examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what better than" is a versatile phrase used to strongly suggest a preferable option. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and the numerous examples demonstrate its widespread use across diverse sources, especially in news and media. While highly effective in many situations, it’s best to avoid overuse in very formal contexts in favor of more direct language. When aiming to emphasize the appeal of a suggestion, "what better than" can be a persuasive and engaging choice. Alternative options like "what could be superior to" and "what is preferable to" may be appropriate depending on the situation and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is there a better option than

Poses a question seeking a more favorable choice.

what's preferable to

Directly asks about preference, making it straightforward.

what could be superior to

Emphasizes superiority more directly.

what is superior to

Directly states the concept of something being better.

what is more advantageous than

Highlights the benefits of one option over another.

is there anything finer than

Uses a more elegant and sophisticated tone.

what surpasses

Focuses on exceeding a certain standard.

what exceeds

Similar to 'surpasses', but with a slightly different connotation of going beyond.

what trumps

Implies overcoming or outdoing something.

what outweighs

Focuses on the importance or impact being greater.

FAQs

How can I use "what better than" in a sentence?

Use "what better than" to suggest an appealing option or course of action, as in "What better than a relaxing vacation after a long work week?"

What are some alternatives to "what better than"?

You can use alternatives like "what could be better", "is there a better option", or "what is preferable to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "what better than" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "what better than" is generally more suited for informal or conversational contexts. For formal writing, consider more direct and professional alternatives.

What's the difference between "what better than" and "what is better than"?

"What better than" is a rhetorical question suggesting the appeal of an option, while "what is better than" directly asks for a superior alternative. The former is more emphatic.