a higher score

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a higher score" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing scores, such as in academic settings, tests, or games, to indicate that one score is greater than another. Example: "To pass the exam, you need to achieve a higher score than 70%."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A higher employment rate yields a higher score.

The Guardian

A higher score.

Forbes

Surgeons have a higher score than pediatricians.

Forbes

A higher score indicates a greater severity.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

A higher score indicates a better HRQoL.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

A higher score represents higher quality.

Sports Medicine - Open

A higher score suggests better speech quality.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Only Justin Rose had a higher score. .

Los Angeles Times

A higher score signifies more economic stress.

Huffington Post

The Democrat had a higher score 57 times.

Huffington Post

A higher score reflects higher racial, ethnic and gender diversity.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing test results or performance evaluations, use "a higher score" to clearly indicate improvement or superiority in performance. For example, "Students who studied consistently achieved a higher score on the final exam."

Common error

Avoid substituting "a higher score" with vague terms like "better results" without specifying what metric is being measured. For instance, instead of saying "The new strategy led to better results", specify "The new strategy led to a higher score on the customer satisfaction survey."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a higher score" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "higher" modifies the noun "score". It generally acts as the subject or object of a sentence, indicating a level of performance or achievement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

31%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a higher score" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to denote superior performance or achievement across various domains. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and common. While generally indicating positive outcomes, context is crucial, as highlighted in the FAQ, since some scales may interpret "a higher score" negatively.

Its presence in scientific, news, and business contexts underscores its broad applicability, although its usage is less frequent in strictly academic or encyclopedic writing. When aiming for clarity, especially in technical or evaluative scenarios, employing "a higher score" provides a direct and easily understandable metric for comparison and assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a better mark

Replaces "score" with "mark", which is often used in academic contexts. Retains a similar meaning but might be perceived as slightly less formal.

an increased grade

Specifically refers to academic grading, making it relevant in educational settings.

an improved result

Focuses on the outcome being better, suitable when the specific scoring system is less important.

a greater advantage

Emphasizes the benefit gained from a superior score, suitable in competitive scenarios.

a more favorable outcome

Shifts the focus to the desirability of the result, rather than the score itself.

a more elevated position

Indicates a superior ranking or status achieved through a better score.

a superior performance

Highlights the quality of the performance that leads to a better score, suitable in contexts like sports or evaluations.

a winning total

Highlights the competitive aspect, suggesting the score is high enough to win.

a boosted tally

Presents a less formal alternative, emphasizing the act of increasing the score or count.

a leading figure

Indicates achieving the highest score among competitors, suitable in contexts where ranking is key.

FAQs

What does "a higher score" generally indicate?

Generally, "a higher score" indicates a better performance, quality, or outcome, depending on the context. For example, in a test, it signifies better knowledge; in a game, it represents more points; and in a survey, it may indicate greater satisfaction.

How can I use "a higher score" in a sentence?

You can use "a higher score" to compare results or performances, such as "Achieving "a higher score" on the SAT can increase your chances of college admission" or "The team needed "a higher score" to win the championship".

What are some alternatives to using "a higher score"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "a higher score" include "a better mark", "an improved result", or "a greater advantage". The best choice depends on the specific situation and what aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it always desirable to have "a higher score"?

While "a higher score" usually indicates a positive outcome, there are exceptions. For example, in some psychological assessments, "a higher score" might indicate increased stress or depression. The interpretation always depends on the specific scoring system being used.