a mark above

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mark above" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a level of quality or achievement that surpasses a standard or expectation. Example: "Her performance in the competition was truly impressive, earning her a mark above the rest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

A mark above 50 signifies growth as opposed to contraction.

The Guardian - Business

On the other hand, only Princeton and Yale rank in the top 200 in defensive effective field-goal percentage; the rest have allowed a mark above 50percentt.

Princeton University

Only four out of every ten pupils who start school pass the matric, and only 5% pass maths with a mark above 50%.

The Economist

He failed to send off, or even show a yellow card, to Diego Milito for a horrendous foul that left a mark above the knee of Angelo Palombo.

The New York Times - Sports

He's averaging 1.17 points per shot in those minutes, a mark above league average but lower than his 1.21-points-per-shot average with Curry on the court.

The Washington Post

In the ordinary course of events, one would expect such a horse to be competitive over hurdles from a mark above 100 but he gets to run off 89 after being well beaten in three quick runs for Best last summer, after leaving Michael Appleby.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Comparing Dubai and Portsmouth is a stretch, but its iconic Spinnaker Tower stands like an exclamation mark above a once run-down military port that is morphing into a pleasant people zone.

Huffington Post

From that point on, any work I turned in would be returned with a mark made above the second 'a' in my name.

Huffington Post

Make a mark just above the muzzle.

WikiHow

As a reference mark, a score above 0.86 is considered normal in populational studies and scores above 0.78 are normal for patients aged between 65 and 74 years [ 13].

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

The cultivars marked above have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a mark above" in technical writing, clearly define the mark or threshold being referenced to avoid ambiguity. For example, "a score a mark above the average score".

Common error

Avoid using "a mark above" without specifying the baseline or reference point. Always provide context to ensure readers understand what the mark is above. For example, instead of saying 'performance was a mark above', specify 'performance was a mark above the previous quarter'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mark above" typically functions as an adjective phrase within a sentence, often modifying a noun to indicate a superior level or achievement. Ludwig AI highlights this usage across various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mark above" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote exceeding a particular level or standard. Ludwig AI's analysis, aligns with the phrase's versatility, fitting comfortably in both formal and informal communication, across domains like News & Media, Science and Wiki. To use it most effectively, specify the reference point to provide the audience a context that is not ambiguous about what that specific threshold is. Alternatives as "higher than a threshold" can be used for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

higher than a threshold

This alternative focuses on exceeding a specific threshold or limit.

exceeding a benchmark

This phrase emphasizes surpassing a standard benchmark or expectation.

surpassing a level

This alternative highlights going beyond a defined level or degree.

over a certain value

This phrase stresses being greater than a specific numerical value.

above a given point

This alternative refers to being higher than a specified point or location.

beyond a limit

This option indicates exceeding a predefined limit or boundary.

greater than a standard

This emphasizes exceeding a defined standard of performance or quality.

outstripping a measure

This alternative signifies surpassing a particular measure or assessment.

over and above

This option, while more emphatic, means much the same as "a mark above".

exceeding expectations

Implies not just meeting a certain benchmark, but surpassing expectations.

FAQs

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

You can use "a mark above" to indicate something exceeds a certain level or standard. For example: "The team's performance was "a mark above" their previous efforts."

What are some alternatives to "a mark above"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "higher than a threshold", "exceeding a benchmark", or "surpassing a level" as alternatives to "a mark above".

Is "a mark above" formal or informal?

"A mark above" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though the specific setting may influence whether a more precise or technical term is preferable. In most general uses it's perfectly acceptable.

What does it mean when something is "a mark above"?

It signifies that something has exceeded a certain predefined level or has shown a quality beyond expectation. For instance, "His test score was "a mark above" the passing grade", indicating he not only passed, but scored higher than required.