above the mark

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "above the mark" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate something that exceeds a certain standard or expectation. Example: "Her performance in the competition was above the mark, earning her first place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

They may not cross or walk on private land above the mark without permission.

The New York Times

In the euro area, the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), which measures conditions in manufacturing, fell to 50.3, barely above the mark (50.0) that separates growth from recession.

The Economist

The words "presumption against" indicate that the party specialists are already aware that some projects would be unfeasible without a price tag that goes above the mark.

The Guardian

As financial components began to lose their steam, the Dow barely managed to stay above the mark with a 0.22% to 10,020.

Forbes

Some parts of the planet were consistently above the mark for most of last summer, and the entirety of the Northern Hemisphere hit the threshold in May 2014.

Huffington Post

By the turn of the millennium, the average production cost of an American feature had already spent three years above the mark.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Pin your tape down with the bottom of the tape right above the marking pin (as shown on the right).

WikiHow

The date of fulfilling the above definition marked the beginning of the exposure time.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Through the above matching, the matching mark of the data frame and its valid mark are recorded.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Her figure of $5.98 billion is even $50 million above an earlier Senate mark and $100 million above the House of Representatives mark.

Science Magazine

This, above all, is the mark of true dignity.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "above the mark" to clearly indicate when something exceeds a specific target or expectation, ensuring the context provides a clear understanding of what the 'mark' represents.

Common error

Avoid using "above the mark" without clearly defining or implying what the 'mark' is. Ambiguity can confuse your audience, making your statement less effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "above the mark" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to indicate that something exceeds a certain standard or expectation. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "above the mark" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that functions as an adverbial to indicate exceeding a specific standard or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most commonly found in news and media, wiki, and science contexts, with a neutral to slightly formal register. While alternatives like "exceeding the standard" or "surpassing expectations" exist, "above the mark" provides a concise way to express that something has surpassed a defined threshold.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeding the standard

Focuses on surpassing an established level of quality or performance.

surpassing expectations

Emphasizes outperforming what was anticipated.

beyond the limit

Highlights exceeding a specific boundary or restriction.

over the threshold

Indicates crossing a critical point or level.

better than average

Implies a performance or quality that is superior to the typical level.

outperforming

Directly suggests exceeding others or previous performances.

excelling

Highlights exceptional performance or skill.

superior to

Indicates a higher quality or standard compared to something else.

topping the scale

Suggests reaching the highest possible level or measurement.

going above and beyond

Emphasizes exceeding what is required or expected, often with extra effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "above the mark" to indicate that something has exceeded a specific standard or expectation. For example, "Her performance was above the mark, earning her a promotion."

What are some alternatives to "above the mark"?

Alternatives to "above the mark" include "exceeding the standard", "surpassing expectations", or "better than average". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "above the mark" formal or informal?

"Above the mark" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal, suitable for both professional and news contexts. More informal alternatives might be preferred in casual conversation.

How does "above the mark" compare to "over the top"?

While both phrases indicate exceeding a limit, "above the mark" suggests exceeding a standard in a positive way, while "over the top" implies excessive or inappropriate behavior.