Higher Chances vs. Better Chances

This is a common point of confusion for many Korean students. While both "better" and "higher" mean "more ", they are not always interchangable.

"Higher" should be used for something that is objectively measurable by itself.

• e.g. Students from lower income families are more likely to drop out than students from higher income families.

"Better" should be used for something that isn't objectively measurable by itself.

• e.g. There are better chances of reaching an agreement through the six-party talks, rather than through unilateral diatribes.