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Meaning & use

better position

phrase·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌbetə pəˈzɪʃən/
US/ˌbetər pəˈzɪʃən/

Meanings

  1. phrasecountable

    A situation that is more advantageous or favorable than another.

    Grammar: Often used with 'in': in a better position. Can also follow 'put someone in'.

    Patterns

    • be in a better position
    • put someone in a better position
    • a better position to do something

    After the training, she was in a better position to apply for a management role.

    The new evidence put the defense in a better position.

    We need to be in a better position before we negotiate with the suppliers.

  2. phrasecountable

    A more advantageous rank or standing in a competition or hierarchy.

    Grammar: Often used with 'have' or 'be in': have a better position, be in a better position.

    Patterns

    • have a better position
    • be in a better position
    • move into a better position

    The company has a better position in the market than it did last year.

    He moved into a better position after the reorganization.

    Their team is in a better position to win the championship now.

Common combinations

in a better position
With the new loan, they are in a better position to buy a house.
a better position to do something
Studying abroad gave her a better position to find international work.
put someone in a better position
The scholarship put him in a better position to attend a top university.
have a better position
Our branch has a better position in the region than the others.
move into a better position
She moved into a better position after only two years.

Synonyms and how they differ

advantage
Use 'advantage' when you mean a specific benefit or edge, not the overall situation; 'better position' focuses on the state of being more favorably placed.
upper hand
This is more idiomatic and often implies control in a contest; 'better position' is more neutral and general.

Opposites

worse positiondisadvantage

Word family

better positioned adjective
Describing someone or something that has an advantage.

Commonly confused: better position or better positioned?

better position vs better positioned

This is an adjective phrase meaning 'having an advantage', while 'better position' is a noun phrase meaning 'a more favorable situation'. You can say 'She is better positioned to win', but not 'She is better position to win'.

Practice

After the merger, the company was in a ______ position to expand overseas.

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