above

USAGE SUMMARY

"above" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to reference something that is higher in position or a higher level than something else. For example, "The rope bridge was barely above the raging river."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Subject to the above, GNMA's liability to you is limited to the fees you have actually paid for the relevant Guardian Masterclass.

The Guardian

However, the above will only happen if Mugabe is alive and in control.

The Guardian

Basically, it is the accrued value of all pensions that are not state basic retirement or state earning related The ONS then combine the above four categories to calculate household wealth.

The Guardian

Those who were educated to 'degree level or above' were the most likely to live in households with a total wealth of £1m or more (20%), of all the education level groups in 2010/12.

The Guardian

As above, multi-factored decisions can be reflected in the data.

The Guardian - Tech

From above, like a sea of iron filings pulled by a magnet, the whole city appears to crowd round a core, the vortex of pilgrims giving way to an equally swirling current of tower blocks.

The Guardian - Arts

I think most of the above is tosh, but I have been listening to romantic politicians of both left and right – from Enoch Powell to Tony Benn – making versions of it most of my life.

The Guardian

Above all, in Baghdad there was a pervasive air of deskbound caution, buck-passing, and ass-covering, in contrast with the Wild West atmosphere that broke out, for better and for worse, in Saigon in April of 1975.

The Economist

Above all, you have to get consumers to accept significantly higher, and steadily rising, prices.

The Economist

Though all of us are all sensitive to heat, and quick to react when it climbs above our comfort levels, our knowledge of how it might affect our health doesn't really go beyond sunstrokes and fainting spells.

The Guardian

"Plunkett has paid a heavy price for putting his own interests above the integrity of the market and Barclays customerr.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "above" to refer to something previously mentioned in writing, ensure clarity by specifically identifying what you are referencing to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "above" excessively in formal writing when referring to something already mentioned. Opt for more precise terms like "aforementioned" or "previously stated" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "above" functions primarily as a preposition, indicating a position higher than something else. It also operates as an adverb, modifying verbs to describe direction or location. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and versatile. Examples found in Ludwig show it used to describe both physical and abstract relationships.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "above" is a versatile term functioning as a preposition, adverb, adjective and noun, primarily used to indicate a higher position, rank, or degree. According to Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically correct. As demonstrated by Ludwig examples, it's prevalent in news, business, and general writing. While generally neutral, its overuse in formal contexts should be avoided in favor of more precise alternatives like "aforementioned". When using "above", ensure clarity in referencing to prevent ambiguity and maintaining a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over

Indicates a position higher than or directly on top of something, similar to "above" but often implying more direct contact or covering.

higher than

Specifically denotes a greater altitude, level, or rank, clarifying the comparative aspect of being "above".

superior to

Emphasizes a higher quality, rank, or status, shifting the focus from physical position to comparative value.

beyond

Indicates something that is further away or exceeds a certain limit or scope, extending the concept of "above" to abstract boundaries.

on top of

Highlights a position directly over something, often suggesting control or dominance, adding a layer of implication not always present in "above".

exceeding

Focuses on surpassing a specific quantity or level, changing the emphasis to a measurable difference rather than just relative position.

in excess of

Similar to exceeding, but often used in more formal contexts to denote a quantity or amount that is greater than a stated figure.

preceding

Refers to something coming before in time or order, shifting the context from spatial to temporal hierarchy.

aforementioned

Identifies something that has been previously mentioned, altering the sense from position to reference within a text or discussion.

earlier

Denotes a point in time prior to the current one, changing the context from spatial to temporal.

FAQs

How can I use "above" in a sentence to describe a physical position?

To describe a physical position, you can say something like, "The bird flew "above" the trees" or "The painting was hung "above" the fireplace".

What's the difference between "above" and "over"?

While both "above" and "over" indicate a higher position, "above" generally implies not directly touching, whereas "over" can suggest covering or direct contact. For example, "the clouds are above the city" (not touching) vs. "the blanket is over the bed" (covering).

When should I use "above" in a formal context?

In formal contexts, "above" can be used to refer to something previously mentioned, such as "As stated "above", the results indicate…" However, be mindful of overuse and consider alternatives like "aforementioned" for better clarity.

Are there instances when "above" is not appropriate?

Using "above" might be inappropriate if a more precise term exists. For instance, instead of saying "He is "above" average," consider specifying "He is superior to his peers" to provide a clearer context of the comparison.