a record high

USAGE SUMMARY

"a record high" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to describe a new or unexpected high point, such as a peak price or level. For example, "The stock market reached a record high this week as investors reacted to news about the potential vaccine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That was a record high.

The New York Times

Job vacancies are at a record high.

The Economist

Unemployment is at a record high.

The Economist

It might even hit a record high.

The New York Times

That too was a record high.

The New York Times

Mortgage delinquencies are at a record high.

The Economist

Platinum prices are at a record high.

The Economist

at a record high level.

The Washington Post

That in itself was a record high.

The Guardian - Business

where the DAX hit a record high.

The Guardian - Business

Employment is at a record high.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a record high" when you want to emphasize that a value or level has reached its highest point ever recorded. It's effective for highlighting significant achievements or concerning peaks in data.

Common error

Avoid using "a record high" to describe subjective or qualitative achievements. It's best suited for quantifiable data where a specific peak has been reached. For example, it's more appropriate to say "profits reached a record high" than "happiness reached a record high."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a record high" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It typically modifies another noun or verb, indicating the attainment of a peak value, as Ludwig's examples demonstrate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a record high" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the highest level or value ever achieved. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use, especially in news and media. It's crucial to use it in quantifiable contexts and to consider alternatives like "an all-time high" or "peak level" for nuanced communication. Remember, it's best suited for factual reporting, especially regarding metrics like stock prices, employment rates, or export volumes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An all-time high

Emphasizes that the high point is the greatest it has ever been throughout history, interchangeable.

A historical peak

Similar to "all-time high", but emphasizes the significance of the high point in history.

A peak level

Focuses on the concept of reaching the highest point on a scale or graph. Slightly more formal.

The highest level ever

A more descriptive way of saying "a record high", emphasizing the unprecedented nature of the level.

A maximum value

Highlights the quantitative aspect of reaching the highest possible number or amount, very formal.

An unprecedented level

Indicates that the level is something never seen before, implies significance beyond just being high.

The highest point

General way of indicating the top of something, but less specific than "a record high".

A top mark

Suggests the best performance or result achieved, often used in academic or achievement contexts.

A new high

Simply states that a high level has been reached, without necessarily being the highest ever.

The upper limit

Focuses on the boundary or constraint reached, more technical and less commonly used.

FAQs

How can I use "a record high" in a sentence?

You can use "a record high" to describe various situations. For example, "The company's stock price reached "a record high" this quarter" or "Unemployment reached "a record high" during the recession".

What are some alternatives to "a record high"?

Some alternatives to "a record high" include "an all-time high", "a peak level", or "a maximum value". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

While understandable, "the highest record" is less common and not as idiomatic as "a record high". "A record high" is the preferred and more widely recognized phrase.

What's the difference between "a record high" and "a new high"?

"A record high" indicates that the value is the highest it has ever been, while "a new high" simply means it's higher than a previous value, but not necessarily the highest ever. "A record high" is always "a new high", but "a new high" isn't always "a record high".