a touch higher than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a touch higher than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a slight increase in measurement, value, or level compared to something else. Example: "The temperature today is a touch higher than it was yesterday, reaching 75 degrees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Southpole spends 3% of revenues on marketing–a touch higher than its bling-bling competitors.

Forbes

Government borrowing was a touch higher than expected in August as the chancellor prepares to blow deficit targets further off course in his maiden autumn statement in November.

The Guardian - Business

The latest unemployment figure is 9.2% of the workforce, still a touch higher than the EU's average, but the lowest since 1990.

The Economist

Germany's public sector deficit came in at 3.5 percent of G.D.P., a touch higher than expected and compared to 3 percent in 2009.

The New York Times

The standard of play in the PDC tends to be a touch higher than at the BDO, and the atmosphere in Ally Pally is certainly more exuberant than at the Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green.

The Guardian - Sport

Government borrowing was a touch higher than economists had expected in August, but was lower than a year ago in a boost to the chancellor, Philip Hammond, as he prepares to give his maiden autumn statement in November.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

In London, it was a touch higher.

BBC

Sometimes, on his way to a business meeting, he suddenly jumps up and tries to touch as high as he can on a wall, or to touch higher than the spot he touched last time, but he says, in "Gates," "I don't jump spontaneously the way I used to, in the early years of the company . . . or even in a meeting. . . .

The New Yorker

Perhaps a touch high.

The Guardian - Sport

It is indeed a touch high.

The Guardian - Sport

For the first seven innings, the Yankees' vaunted lineup was held to a whisper by the 35-year-old Arroyo, whose fastball never touched higher than 88 miles per hour.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a touch higher than" when you want to convey a slight difference without being overly precise. It's suitable for situations where the exact amount isn't critical.

Common error

While acceptable in many situations, avoid using "a touch higher than" in highly formal or scientific writing where precise measurements and data are expected. Opt for more specific quantitative comparisons instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a touch higher than" functions as an adverbial phrase of degree, modifying a comparative adjective. It serves to qualify the extent to which something exceeds a particular baseline or standard, as exemplified by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

14%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a touch higher than" is a versatile comparative phrase that suggests a slight increase or difference. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and indicates its common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While suitable for general communication, more precise language may be required in formal or technical settings. When you want to express something is only a little bit more, "a touch higher than" is a good option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally greater than

Emphasizes the small margin by which something is larger.

ever so slightly higher

Emphasizes the subtlety and smallness of the increase.

slightly exceeding

Focuses on the action of exceeding by a small amount rather than the comparison itself.

barely exceeding

Highlights that the surpassing is minimal and almost negligible.

just a bit above

More informal, highlighting the minimal difference in level.

a smidge more than

An informal way to describe a very small increment.

a shade over

Uses "shade" to represent a small degree of difference, implying subtlety.

fractionally more than

Indicates an increase that is a small fraction of the whole.

a hair's breadth above

Uses a metaphorical expression to illustrate a very small difference.

inches past

Implies movement or progress just beyond a certain point.

FAQs

How can I use "a touch higher than" in a sentence?

You can use "a touch higher than" to express that something is slightly greater in quantity, level, or degree. For example, "The cost of living here is "a touch higher than" in my hometown".

What phrases are similar to "a touch higher than"?

Alternatives include "slightly above", "a bit more than", or "marginally greater than", each conveying a small degree of difference.

Is it okay to use "a touch higher than" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "a touch higher than" might be too informal for highly technical or scientific contexts. Consider using more precise language like "slightly exceeding" or "fractionally more than" in those situations.

What's the difference between "a touch higher than" and "much higher than"?

"A touch higher than" indicates a small difference, while "much higher than" implies a significant difference. The choice depends on the magnitude of the difference you want to convey. For instance, "The interest rate is "a touch higher than" last year" versus "The inflation rate is "much higher than" last year".