Good, Better, Best: Boost Your English Vocabulary

Understanding Comparative Degrees

The comparative degree compares two items, people, or ideas. Most adjectives add "-er" to short words or use "more" for longer ones. However, "good" is an exception, becoming "better" instead. Let's learn to use "better" effectively. 🚀

Effective Speaking Strategies for the Duolingo English Test

The Comparative Form: "Better"

When comparing the quality of two subjects, "good" changes to "better."

• "This book is good, but that book is better."
• "I feel better today than I did yesterday."
• "Her cooking is better than his."

These examples show "better" indicating higher quality or a superior attribute in a comparison.

Using "Better" in Various Contexts

"Better" is a versatile word, applicable in many situations to describe improvement or superiority:

1. Health & Performance: - "After taking the medicine, I'm feeling better." - "She plays the piano better than her brother."

2. Preference & Quality: - "I think chocolate is better than vanilla." - "This brand of coffee tastes better than the other."

3. Efficiency & Choices: - "It's often better to leave early to avoid traffic." - "Wireless headphones are a better choice for lower noise levels."

Comparing with "Than"

Often, "than" clarifies what two things are being compared. ✨

• "This movie is better than the last one we watched."
• "The weather today is better than yesterday."

Free English Practice

Common Mistakes and Tips

Avoid these common errors when using "better":

• No Double Comparatives: Never use "more better" or "betterer." "Better" is already a comparative form.
  • Incorrect: "This cake is more better than that one."
  • Correct: "This cake is better than that one."
• "Good" vs. "Well": "Good" is an adjective; "well" is an adverb. Both use "better" in the comparative.
  • Incorrect: "She plays the piano good."
  • Correct: "She plays the piano well."
  • Comparative: "She plays the piano better than before."
• Always Use "Than": For clarity, use "than" when comparing two items.
  • Incorrect: "This book is better."
  • Correct: "This book is better than the one I read last week."
• Ensure Clear Context: Compare logically comparable items.
  • Incorrect (out of context): "This chair is better than yesterday."
  • Correct: "This chair is better than the old one I had."

Practical Uses of "Better"

"Better" clearly expresses improvement or superiority. Here are some key uses: 🌟

• Comparing Abilities: "Sara is a better swimmer than John."
• Evaluating Products: "This laptop is better than the one I used before."
• Describing Improvement: "His health is better this week compared to last week."
• Making Choices: "It’s better to take the scenic route if you have time."
• Expressing Preferences: "I like summer better than winter."

Using "better" correctly enhances your communication, adding clarity and depth to your comparisons. Practice helps improve fluency!

Using Your Smartphone as a Second Camera for the Duolingo English Test