above standards

USAGE SUMMARY

"above standards" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to something that is better or higher than the expected or required level of quality or performance. Example: The company's new marketing campaign went above standards, resulting in a significant increase in sales.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

This exclusion applies expressly to those who violate the above standards or other applicable policies and procedures.

University of California, Berkeley

By the turn of the 21st century, golf balls still conformed to the above standards, although a host of new designs were available.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Once it is deemed that the above standards have been met, the student should complete the Application for Candidacy for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Stanford University

It is expected that the student meet, and indeed exceed, the above standards by the end of the first quarter in the third year of residency.

Stanford University

It is expected that the student meet, and indeed exceed, the above standards by the end of the third year of residency.

Stanford University

The Cal Alumni Association will deny access to those who violate the above standards or other applicable policies in these or similar practices.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Most people would think that these districts succeed because their overall scores are still above standard.

The New York Times

The BEA report stated that Lubitz's professional level was judged to be "above standard" by his flight instructors and examiners.

The Guardian

The report also details Lubitz's training and medical checks and states his files show that instructors and examiners rated his professional level as "above standard".

The Guardian

Lemma 2.3 Let ( X, d ) be a metric space endowed with a graph G satisfying the above standard conditions.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

However, it should be noted that the above standard deviations in pointing are estimated under ideal conditions.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "above standards", ensure that the context clearly establishes what the "standards" are. This provides a clear benchmark for comparison and enhances the phrase's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "above standards" without specifying the standards being exceeded. Without context, the phrase becomes vague and loses its effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "above standards" functions as an adjective phrase, often used to describe a noun, signifying that the noun's quality or performance is superior to the established norms or requirements. It indicates a level of achievement that surpasses the baseline expectations, as Ludwig shows in its examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

28%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "above standards" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe something that exceeds expectations or established benchmarks. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across academia, science, and news media. When using this phrase, it is crucial to provide context to clarify what standards are being exceeded, avoiding vagueness. Alternatives such as "exceeding expectations" or "outstanding performance" can be used depending on the specific context. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate register, writers can effectively use "above standards" to convey praise and highlight exceptional achievements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeding expectations

Focuses on surpassing what was anticipated rather than just meeting a standard.

outstanding performance

Highlights the exceptional quality of the performance, moving past merely adequate levels.

exceptional quality

Emphasizes the superior nature of the quality, going beyond typical standards.

first-rate

Implies a top-tier status, signaling something considerably better than the norm.

top-notch

Similar to "first-rate", this emphasizes the highest level of quality or performance.

superior quality

Directly indicates a higher grade or level compared to standard quality.

best in class

Suggests the highest level of achievement when compared against similar entities.

state of the art

Focuses more on innovative quality and advanced methods than the plain concept of standards.

world class

Suggests a standard comparable to the best internationally, rather than simply exceeding local benchmarks.

gold standard

Implies a benchmark against which all others are measured, exceeding typical standards.

FAQs

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

You can use "above standards" to describe performance, quality, or results that exceed expectations. For example, "The student's work was well above standards for the assignment."

What is an alternative to using "above standards"?

Alternatives include "exceeding expectations", "outstanding performance", or "exceptional quality" depending on the specific context.

Which is more accurate, "above standards" or "meeting standards"?

"Above standards" indicates exceeding the defined requirements, while "meeting standards" implies fulfilling them adequately. The choice depends on whether the subject surpasses or simply fulfills the criteria.

What's the difference between "above standards" and "state of the art"?

"Above standards" implies exceeding established benchmarks, whereas "state of the art" refers to the highest level of development or innovation at a particular time. One is relative to fixed criteria, and the other is about cutting-edge advancement.