a lot higher

USAGE SUMMARY

"a lot higher" is a perfectly acceptable and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it any time you want to express a significantly greater quantity of something. For example, "Last quarter, our profits were a lot higher than we expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, the typical bills in north-west England and London are a lot higher: £1,177 and £1,068 respectively.

The Guardian - Money

Within each group, the percentage of identity at the amino acid level is a lot higher (from 58 to 95%) than between the two groups (from 43 to 55%).

DNA Research

And surely Indonesia would be a lot higher than #143 in those FIFA rankings if their strips featured the mighty Komodo Dragon?" 69 min: PENALTY TO IVORY COAST!

The Guardian - Sport

The trouble for buyers this time round, is that Wimbledon has set the price much higher than 2007 – indeed, a lot higher – at £31,000 each.

The Guardian - Money

Hargreaves added that in some cases, such as where the homeowner had some adverse credit, rates could be a lot higher – around 9% to 12% – but that "you are [often] paying 20% on a credit card".

The Guardian - Money

Unless the tester shown in this pic which was included in the testing documentation is a 'little person,' that test is a hell of a lot higher than 29-inches.

TechCrunch

In particular, in (n) and (na) xylem saps the values of 27.70 ± 1.02 and 16.10 ± 0.71 μmol g−1FW, respectively, quite a lot higher than the 10.5 mM value observed in maize crops [ 33], suggested an extensive plant response to restoring tissue N levels.

BMC Plant Biology

The chancellor was keen to point out that net borrowing was lower than forecast in March 2013, but forgot to mention that at £111bn it will be a lot higher than the £60bn estimate made in June 2010.

The Guardian

"I'd like to see the rate of progress between Games 2 and 3 be a lot higher than it was between 1 and 2," Groh said.... Wide receiver MATT FARMER, a rookie free agent from the Air Force Academy, was placed on the reserve/military list Monday because he had to report for his military commitment.

The New York Times - Sports

That's not outlandish for a foreign fund, but it's a lot higher than the 0.2% you'd pay on an S&P 500 domestic index fund.

Forbes

It certainly means a lot higher than the 1.5% the market currently expects.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a lot higher" to clearly and simply express a significant increase or difference in numerical values or abstract concepts. It's effective for conveying information quickly and accessibly.

Common error

Avoid using "a lot higher" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated language such as "significantly greater" or "substantially increased" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lot higher" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective (higher). It serves to emphasize the degree to which something exceeds a certain level or benchmark. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase commonly appears in comparative statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a lot higher" is a common and generally acceptable way to express that something is significantly greater than something else. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across varied contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While grammatically sound, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "significantly greater" in academic or highly professional settings. By understanding its nuances and context-specific appropriateness, you can use "a lot higher" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much greater

A direct synonym, replacing "a lot" with "much" for slight variation.

far exceeding

Indicates a difference so large that the first value is surpassed by the second.

significantly greater

Emphasizes the magnitude of the difference more formally.

considerably larger

Focuses on size or quantity in a more measured tone.

well above

Indicates that a value is at a point substantially over a given reference.

substantially increased

Highlights the action of increasing to a higher level.

noticeably bigger

Focuses on the ease of observing the difference in size.

markedly superior

Emphasizes the improved quality or performance.

appreciably elevated

Highlights the raising of something to a higher position or level, with an emphasis on it being easily perceived or measured.

distinctly taller

Emphasizes the vertical dimension in a clear and unmistakable way.

FAQs

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

You can use "a lot higher" to indicate that something is significantly greater than something else. For example, "The cost of living in New York is "a lot higher" than in most other cities".

What are some alternatives to saying "a lot higher"?

Alternatives include phrases like "significantly greater", "considerably larger", or "much greater", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "a lot higher" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a lot higher" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use more precise and sophisticated language like "substantially increased" or "markedly superior".

What's the difference between "a lot higher" and "slightly higher"?

"A lot higher" indicates a significant difference, while "slightly higher" suggests only a small or marginal increase. The choice depends on the magnitude of the difference you want to convey.