worked better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worked better" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the effectiveness of two or more methods, approaches, or situations, indicating that one was more effective than the other. Example: "After implementing the new strategy, we found that it worked better than our previous plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Polyester worked better.

The New Yorker

Long Beach, Calif., worked better.

The New York Times

But others have worked better.

The Economist

Cash has always worked better".

The New York Times

Nothing could have worked better.

The Economist

That worked better.

The New York Times - Magazine

It worked better the first time around.

The New York Times

The numbers worked better in the 1970s.

The New York Times

(Nothing else would have worked better).

The New York Times

A prescription from the doctor worked better.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

A concerted, combined effort may have worked better.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two options, use "worked better" to clearly indicate which one yielded more favorable results. For instance, "After several attempts, this method worked better than the others."

Common error

While "worked better" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "proved more effective" or "yielded superior results" in academic or professional writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worked better" functions as a comparative verb phrase, indicating that a particular action or method produced more favorable or effective results than another. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples show it comparing strategies, materials, or even subjective experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "worked better" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that expresses comparative effectiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. While prevalent in news and media, it is also found in scientific and business communications. While generally neutral in register, consider formal alternatives like "proved more effective" for academic or professional writing. Remember to use "worked better" to clearly indicate the superior results of one approach over another, and be mindful of the context to ensure appropriate formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proved more effective

Emphasizes the demonstration of superior effectiveness.

yielded better results

Focuses on the improved outcomes or consequences.

performed more efficiently

Highlights the increased efficiency in achieving a task.

was a superior solution

Indicates a better answer or approach to a problem.

fared better

Suggests an improved condition or experience.

functioned more effectively

Stresses the improved functionality and operation.

excelled

Implies exceeding expectations and achieving high performance.

outperformed

Directly compares and indicates surpassing another's performance.

surpassed expectations

Emphasizes exceeding anticipated outcomes.

provided a better outcome

Highlights the improved result achieved.

FAQs

How can I use "worked better" in a sentence?

You can use "worked better" to compare the effectiveness of two different methods or approaches. For example, "The new software "worked better" than the old system".

What are some alternatives to "worked better"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "proved more effective", "yielded better results", or "performed more efficiently" as alternatives to "worked better".

Is it grammatically correct to say "worked better"?

Yes, "worked better" is grammatically correct. It's a common and acceptable way to express that something was more effective than something else.

What's the difference between "worked better" and "was better"?

"Worked better" implies that something was actively tried or used and then shown to be more effective. "Was better" is a more general statement of preference or superiority without necessarily implying active use or experimentation.