above the standard

USAGE SUMMARY

"above the standard" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase used to describe something that surpasses the ordinary, or is higher than the average. For example: "The student's performance was above the standard and earned him a distinction grade."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They are paid 30%-40 30%-40 the standard market price for coffee.

The Guardian

AltaVista's paid listings appear under a "Products and Services" heading above the standard search results.

The New York Times

And the coffee comes out at 186 degrees, just above the standard.

The New York Times - Food

Holland America's single-occupant fare starts at 50percentt above the standard fare.

The New York Times - Travel

Some 94 percent were at or above the standard in the mathematics test, compared with 77percentt statewide.

The New York Times

He's relatively petite for a plus-size model but he's still way above the standard male size.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For the state's fourth graders, 67.7percentt scored at or above the standard, down from 69.4percentt last year.

The New York Times

Service is efficient, pleasant and knowledgeable, well above the standard in even the best restaurants in the city.

The New York Times - Travel

The company also discounts the Holland America single supplement, pricing it at 20 percent above the standard fare.

The New York Times - Travel

Similar measures would show inflation well above the standard figures in many other countries too.

The Economist

"His numbers are going to be way above the standard," Kamalsky said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "above the standard", ensure you clearly define what standard you are referring to for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "above the standard" without specifying the relevant standard. Without context, the phrase can be vague and lose its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "above the standard" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun or situation that surpasses a defined or typical benchmark. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in various contexts, indicating quality, performance, or levels exceeding what is typical.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "above the standard" is a versatile phrase used to denote something surpassing a defined benchmark or norm. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across diverse fields such as science, news, and business. Its primary function is to express superiority, with a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, ensure that the standard being referenced is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "exceeding expectations" or "better than average" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeding expectations

Focuses on surpassing anticipated results rather than a set standard.

better than average

Emphasizes a comparison to the average, highlighting superior quality.

superior to the norm

Highlights that something is of higher quality when compared to a typical norm.

exceeding the norm

Implies going beyond what is typically expected or achieved.

higher than usual

Indicates a departure from what is commonly observed or experienced.

surpassing the benchmark

Highlights that something is better than the defined level of quality.

outperforming expectations

Focuses on exceeding specific expectations, often in a performance context.

beyond the ordinary

Emphasizes exceptionality and being unlike what is common or typical.

exceptional

Conveys outstanding quality or performance.

remarkable

Highlights notable or uncommon aspects that make something stand out.

FAQs

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

You can use "above the standard" to describe something that exceeds a typical or expected level, such as: "The student's work was "above the standard" for her grade level."

What are some alternatives to "above the standard"?

You can use alternatives like "exceeding expectations", "better than average", or "superior to the norm" depending on the context.

Is it always positive to be "above the standard"?

Generally, being "above the standard" is positive, indicating superior quality or performance. However, context matters; for instance, "radiation levels above the standard" would be a negative situation.

What's the difference between "above the standard" and "exceeding expectations"?

"Above the standard" implies surpassing a defined norm or benchmark, while "exceeding expectations" suggests surpassing what was anticipated, which may or may not be a formal standard.