a high of

USAGE SUMMARY

'a high of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing the highest level of a variable. For example, "The temperature will reach a high of 105 degrees today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Partly sunny, with a high of 67.

The New York Times

with a high of 21C (uk.weather.com).weather.com

The Guardian - Music

Saturday is slightly cloudy with a high of 20.

The Guardian - Sport

Shares hit a high of $59.68 in March 2000.

The New York Times

The index reached a high of 117.2 in April 2000.

The New York Times

Rain in the afternoon, with a high of 20C (AccuWeather.com).

The Guardian - Music

Morning showers, mostly cloudy, with a high of 20C (AccuWeather.com).

The Guardian - Music

That grew to a high of 135 times in 2004.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The stock reached a high of $77.78 in December 1999.

The New York Times

Death sentences reached a high of 328 in 1994.

The New York Times

Let's say you have a high % of damage on you.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a high of" to clearly indicate the maximum value or extent of something, especially in contexts where precision is important, such as weather reports, stock market analyses, or scientific measurements.

Common error

Avoid using "a high of" when you simply mean something is generally high or elevated. "A high of" specifies a maximum point, not just a general state. For example, don't say "The stress level was a high of" when you mean "The stress level was high."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a high of" functions as a quantifier specifying the maximum extent or degree of a measured variable. Ludwig confirms that this is standard and correct English usage, as exemplified by numerous instances in weather reports and financial analyses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a high of" is a standard and versatile expression used to denote the maximum value or degree of something, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is grammatically correct and most commonly found in News & Media. While "a high of" can be used in various contexts, it is especially prevalent when reporting numerical data such as temperature, stock prices, or statistical figures. When writing, it is crucial to use "a high of" specifically to indicate the highest point reached, rather than just describing something as generally high. Consider alternatives like ""peak at"" or ""maximum value of"" to express similar ideas with nuances, depending on the context. The phrase’s widespread use in authoritative sources like The New York Times and Los Angeles Times further validates its reliability and appropriateness in formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highest level of

This is a more literal and straightforward way of expressing the maximum extent.

peak at

This suggests reaching the highest point in a more concise manner.

at its peak of

This emphasizes the state of being at the highest point.

reached its highest point

This alternative is more descriptive, emphasizing the attainment of a maximum value.

record high of

This indicates that the high is the greatest value ever recorded.

maximum value of

This uses a more technical or formal tone, suitable for scientific or business contexts.

topped out at

This suggests reaching a maximum and then potentially declining.

culminated in

This emphasizes the result of a process or series of events.

upper limit of

This suggests a boundary or constraint to the maximum value.

at most

This gives the maximum possible quantity/degree, implying that it will not exceed the mentioned value.

FAQs

How do I use "a high of" in a sentence?

Use "a high of" to specify the maximum value or level that something reached. For example, "The temperature reached "a high of" 90 degrees Fahrenheit".

What are some alternatives to using "a high of"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "peak at", "reached its highest point", or "maximum value of" as alternatives to "a high of".

Is it correct to say "the high was" instead of "a high of"?

While "the high was" can be used in some contexts, it's less precise than ""a high of"". "A high of" explicitly indicates a maximum numerical value or level.

What's the difference between "a high of" and "at its peak"?

"A high of" typically refers to a specific numerical value that was reached, whereas "at its peak" refers to the maximum level or intensity and might not involve a precise number.