Cool MateFor better or worse vs For good or ill
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
For better or worse
Top 2,000 (common)
For good or ill
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: For better or worse
| For better or worse | For good or ill | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //fɔː ˈbɛtə ə ɔː wɜːs//🇺🇸 //fɔr ˈbɛtərər ɔr wɜrs// | 🇬🇧 //fɔː ɡʊd ɔːr ɪl//🇺🇸 //fɔr ɡʊd ɔr ɪl// |
| Meaning | No matter if the outcome is good or bad. | For better or worse; regardless of the outcome. |
| Example | For better or worse, I'm committed to this project. | The technology changed society for good or ill. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | for better or worse decisions, commit for better or worse, accept for better or worse, live for better or worse | impact for good or ill, affect for good or ill, change for good or ill |
| Common mistakes | Using it in formal contexts like business or legal discussions., Confusing it with 'for the better' which implies only positive outcomes., Omitting the 'or worse' part, changing the meaning. | Used incorrectly as 'for good and ill', which is less common., Confused with 'for better or worse', which has a similar meaning but a different phrasing. |
| Usage notes | Used to indicate acceptance of all possible outcomes, often in personal situations. It's neutral and feels personal, suitable for conversations about relationships or decisions. | Often used in reflections or discussions about outcomes. Suitable for conversational and written contexts but may feel too formal in casual speech. |
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Frequently asked questions: For better or worse vs For good or ill
What's the difference between For better or worse and For good or ill?
For better or worse: No matter if the outcome is good or bad. For good or ill: For better or worse; regardless of the outcome.
Which is more common: For better or worse and For good or ill?
For better or worse is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
For better or worse: For better or worse, I'm committed to this project. For good or ill: The technology changed society for good or ill.
Can I use For better or worse and For good or ill interchangeably?
Not always. For better or worse and For good or ill are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.