a level above

USAGE SUMMARY

"a level above" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that is higher in comparison to something else. For example, "This project requires us to think a level above and come up with innovative solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Aerobic capacity improved to a level above the norm.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

A level above 0.7 ng/ml was considered significant.

Critical Care

She's a level above".

The New York Times - Sports

A level above 50 signals growth.

The New York Times

A level above 50 indicates growth.

The New York Times

A level above 50 indicates an expansion in business.

The New York Times

It's a level above what we've had before".

The Guardian - Sport

"He's a striker a level above everyone else".

The New York Times - Sports

A level above 50 indicates the manufacturing sector is expanding; below 50 means it is contracting.

The New York Times

Turkey's pro league is a level above Japan's, but the Japanese had the home advantage.

The New York Times - Sports

A level above 50 indicates growth and analysts had been expecting a rise.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a level above", ensure the context clearly establishes what the comparison point is. For instance, instead of saying "Their service is a level above", specify "Their service is a level above the industry standard".

Common error

Avoid using "a level above" without clearly defining what's being compared. Saying something is simply "a level above" can lack impact if the reference point isn't clear to the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a level above" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating relative superiority or a higher position compared to something else. Ludwig examples show it describing improvements in aerobic capacity or marking a significant threshold.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

28%

Sports

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a level above" is a versatile prepositional phrase employed to denote something superior in quality, rank, or achievement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently appears across various domains, notably news, science, and sports. To ensure clarity, always specify what's being compared when using this phrase. While alternatives like "superior to" or "exceeding" exist, "a level above" provides a concise and effective way to express relative excellence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

higher than

Directly indicates a greater physical or abstract position.

superior to

Focuses on the aspect of being better in quality or rank.

a cut above

Suggests a noticeable difference in quality or class.

exceeding

Highlights the act of surpassing a particular limit or expectation.

surpassing

Emphasizes exceeding or outdoing something else.

in a different league

Indicates a significant disparity in skill or status.

beyond

Implies being outside the limits or scope of something.

outperforming

Specifically relates to performing better than others.

one step ahead

Focuses on being more advanced or prepared.

transcending

Emphasizes going beyond the ordinary or expected.

FAQs

How can I use "a level above" in a sentence?

You can use "a level above" to indicate something is superior or exceeds expectations. For instance, "This new software is "a level above" its competitors in terms of functionality".

What's the difference between "a level above" and "superior to"?

"A level above" generally implies a clear distinction in rank or quality, while "superior to" simply indicates higher quality or effectiveness. The nuance depends on context.

Which is correct, "a level above" or "on a level above"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "a level above" is more concise and commonly used. "On a level above" can add emphasis in certain contexts, but is often unnecessary.

What can I say instead of "a level above" to describe exceptional performance?

Consider alternatives like "outperforming", "exceeding expectations", or "a cut above" depending on the specific context of the performance.