Better-Informed vs. Better Informed – Which is Correct?
Both “better-informed” and “better informed” are correct, but their placement usually determines the preferred form. Use the hyphenated compound adjective before a noun: “a better-informed audience.” Use the open form after a linking verb: “The audience is better informed.” Hyphenation improves clarity when the phrase directly modifies a noun clearly.
better-informed or better informed – Which is Correct?
Both better-informed and better informed are correct forms of the comparative adjective phrase. The main difference is grammatical position. When the phrase comes directly before a noun, use the hyphenated form to show that “better” and “informed” work together as one compound modifier: a better-informed customer.
When the phrase follows a linking verb such as become, feel, seem, or are, the hyphen is generally unnecessary: The customers are better informed. Some style guides may allow the open form before a noun when the meaning is completely clear, but hyphenation is the safest choice for polished writing.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the before-a-noun test. If “better informed” comes immediately before a noun, add the hyphen: a better-informed voter. If it comes after a linking verb, leave the phrase open: The voter is better informed. The hyphen acts like a visual bridge showing that the two words belong together as one description.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| better-informed | Compound comparative adjective | Having more knowledge or awareness; used before a noun | The report helped create a better-informed public. |
| better informed | Comparative adjective phrase | Having more knowledge or awareness; usually used after a linking verb | Readers are better informed after reviewing the evidence. |
How to Use better-informed
Better-informed is normally used as a compound adjective before a noun. It describes a person, group, decision, community, or audience that has more knowledge than another person or group. The hyphen prevents readers from briefly interpreting “better” and “informed” as unrelated words.
This form is especially common in formal, professional, academic, journalistic, and business writing. It can describe improved awareness, education, research, preparation, or understanding.
Example 1: The campaign aims to build a better-informed electorate.
Example 2: A better-informed manager can make more effective decisions.
Example 3: The article offers better-informed analysis of the economic changes.
What are the different forms of better-informed?
Better-informed is the comparative form of informed. The basic adjective is informed, meaning knowledgeable or aware. The comparative form is better informed or better-informed, meaning more informed. The superlative form is best informed or best-informed, meaning the most informed.
Use the hyphen when the comparative or superlative phrase comes before a noun: the best-informed analyst. Usually omit the hyphen after a linking verb: She is best informed about the topic. In everyday usage, more informed and most informed are also clear alternatives.
Etymology of the word better-informed
Better-informed combines better, the comparative form of good, with informed, the past participle of inform. Inform comes through Old French from Latin informare, meaning “to shape” or “to give form to.” English writers began using hyphens to join compound modifiers because the punctuation helps clarify how words function together.
How to Use better informed
Better informed is most commonly used after a linking verb. It functions as a predicate adjective phrase and describes a subject that has gained knowledge or has more knowledge than someone or something else.
Common linking verbs used with this phrase include be, become, feel, seem, and remain. The open form is also possible before a noun when the construction is unmistakably clear, but many editors prefer better-informed in that position.
Example 1: After reading the research, the committee was better informed.
Example 2: Consumers feel better informed when companies explain their policies clearly.
Example 3: The updated training left employees better informed about workplace safety.
What are the different forms of better informed?
Better informed is the open comparative form of the adjective informed. Its positive form is informed, while its comparative form is better informed. Its superlative form is best informed. The phrase does not change for singular or plural subjects: The student is better informed and The students are better informed.
When the phrase directly modifies a noun, standard practice is to hyphenate it: better-informed students. When it follows a linking verb, leave it open: The students are better informed.
Etymology of the word better informed
The phrase better informed developed from the comparative use of better with the adjective informed. Better comes from Old English betera, while informed derives from Latin informare through French and English. The open spelling reflects the phrase’s predicate-adjective function.
Related Concepts
Understanding compound adjectives and comparative forms makes it easier to choose between better-informed and better informed.
- Compound adjectives: Two or more words can work together as one adjective. A hyphen often clarifies this relationship when the compound appears before a noun, as in a well-researched article.
- Comparative adjectives: Comparative forms describe a higher degree of a quality. In this phrase, better informed means having more knowledge or awareness.
- Predicate adjectives: An adjective that follows a linking verb usually does not need a hyphen. For example, The audience is better informed uses the phrase as a predicate adjective.
- Hyphenation for clarity: Hyphens can prevent confusion by showing which words belong together. They are particularly useful when a compound modifier comes before a noun.
Examples from Media and Literature
Professional writing, journalism, fiction, and public communications use both forms according to their grammatical position.
- News writing: “The investigation gave readers a better-informed view of the issue.” The hyphenated phrase modifies the noun view.
- Public policy writing: “Citizens are better informed about the proposed legislation.” The open phrase follows the linking verb are.
- Business communication: “A better-informed customer is more likely to compare available options.” The compound adjective appears before customer.
- Historical nonfiction: “After reviewing the original documents, historians became better informed about the event.” The open form follows became.
- Fiction: “She returned to the village a better-informed and more confident traveler.” The hyphenated phrase modifies the implied noun phrase describing the traveler.
better-informed Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| more knowledgeable | Having greater understanding or expertise |
| more aware | Having a stronger understanding of a situation or fact |
| better educated | Having received more education or instruction |
| more prepared | Having more information needed to respond or act |
| more enlightened | Having gained deeper understanding, insight, or awareness |
better informed Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| more knowledgeable | Having more information, understanding, or expertise |
| more aware | More conscious of relevant facts or circumstances |
| more informed | Possessing a greater amount of reliable information |
| better advised | Having received more useful guidance before making a decision |
| more up to date | Having more recent or current information |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “better-informed” or “better informed” correct?
Both are correct. Use better-informed most often before a noun, as in a better-informed decision. Use better informed most often after a linking verb, as in They are better informed.
Question 2: Should “better informed” always have a hyphen?
No. The hyphen is generally used when the phrase comes before a noun and acts as one compound modifier. It is normally omitted when the phrase follows a linking verb.
Question 3: Is “better informed” more formal than “better-informed”?
Neither form is inherently more formal. The choice depends primarily on grammatical position. Both forms are appropriate in academic, professional, journalistic, and everyday writing.
Conclusion
Better-informed and better informed are both correct. Hyphenate the phrase when it appears before a noun, as in a better-informed reader. Leave it open when it follows a linking verb, as in The reader is better informed. Pro Tip: Consistent hyphenation demonstrates editorial care and helps protect your professional reputation.
