a bit more than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a bit more than' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is slightly more than a certain quantity or amount. For example: I need to buy a bit more than two pounds of apples for the pie.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I arrived in Hong Kong a bit more than a year ago.

Vice

Social Security currently pays out a bit more than $700 billion a year in retirement and survivors benefits.

Los Angeles Times

That is a bit more than dabbling.

The New Yorker

Yield: A bit more than 1 quart.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Oooh, a bit more than that".

The Guardian - Music

Quite a bit more than all right.

The New York Times

This is perhaps a bit more than that".

Independent

"It's a bit more than that," I said.

The New Yorker

Actually, he does a bit more than that.

The New York Times

It slowed down the game a bit more than here.

The New York Times

He weighed a bit more than a hundred pounds.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a bit more than", ensure the context clearly indicates the reference point you are exceeding. For example, "The recipe calls for two cups of flour, but I added a bit more than that to make it fluffier."

Common error

Avoid using "a bit more than" without a clear point of reference. For instance, instead of saying "It costs a bit more than before", specify the original price or provide a comparative value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit more than" primarily functions as a degree modifier. It's used to indicate that something exceeds a certain quantity or level by a small amount. Ludwig examples show it modifying both numerical values and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a bit more than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a slight excess or increase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and highlights its prevalence in various contexts, predominantly in news and media. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the reference point. For variety, consider alternatives like "slightly exceeding" or "a little beyond" while avoiding vague comparisons. The phrase exhibits a neutral register, making it suitable for a range of communicative settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A little beyond

This alternative directly indicates movement or position past a certain point, maintaining simplicity.

Slightly exceeding

This alternative is a more formal and concise way to indicate a small excess.

Barely over

This phrase emphasizes that the excess is minimal, almost negligible.

Marginally greater than

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the small margin by which something exceeds a certain point.

By a small margin

This alternative stresses the narrow extent by which something exceeds.

A shade over

This is a more informal and nuanced way to express a small excess, implying a subtle difference.

Just a touch above

This is a more descriptive and sensory way to indicate a slight excess.

A fraction beyond

This phrase emphasizes that the excess is a small part or proportion.

Somewhat in excess of

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes that something is beyond a specified limit or amount.

In excess

This suggests a more general overage, without specifying the degree.

FAQs

How can I use "a bit more than" in a sentence?

Use "a bit more than" to indicate a quantity or degree that is slightly greater than a specified amount. For example, "I need "a bit more than" two hours to finish the project".

What are some alternatives to "a bit more than"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly exceeding", "marginally greater than", or "a little beyond" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a bit more then"?

No, the correct phrase is ""a bit more than"". "Then" is used for time-related contexts, while "than" is used for comparisons.

What's the difference between "a bit more than" and "much more than"?

"A bit more than" indicates a small difference, while "much more than" suggests a significant difference. For example, "The new car is a bit more expensive than the old one" versus "The new house is much more expensive than the old apartment".