an higher

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an higher" is not correct in written English.
It should be "a higher" instead, as "higher" begins with a consonant sound. Example: "She achieved a higher level of understanding after the course."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The results demonstrated an higher prediction accuracy of ANN compared to RSM.

Process Biochemistry

Markit reported that factories saw an increase in new orders, leading to an higher backlog of work and an inc increased in job creation across the sector.

The Guardian - Business

The modelled temperature profile across the film thickness shows that the film surface has an higher temperature as compared to the interface with the substrate.

Nature

These factors contribute to improve the fill factor and increase the current output leading to an higher power conversion efficiency.

Thin Solid Films

If the first child is something "normative", the decision to have a second or a third child seems to be the real obstacle for gaining an higher fertility.

Princeton University

But he said the problems America were facing - inequality, job losses, discrimination, inadequate healthcare and an higher education system that left students in debt - demanded radical thinking.

Independent

Mr. Reichel said he and state regulators were perplexed about why the sewer system had been funneling in "a strong sewage" with an higher level of biochemical oxygen demand than in past years.

The New York Times

Mr. Yaffe cites Reckson Associates' four-building industrial complexthe Reckson Business Center at AIP 2001 -- on 39 acres on Veteran's Memorial Highway in Bohemia as a good example of an "higher image" industrial building.

The New York Times

This study was designed to evaluate if patients in whom in-stent restenosis developed had an higher risk of early venous graft failure compared with normal patients.

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery

HALF has been designed to accommodate multiple mining algorithms by organizing them in a hierarchical structure in order to offer an higher and flexible detection capability.

Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory

In particular, this tool can support the designer in the choice of the product with an higher recyclability potential from a set of different alternatives.

Ecological Modelling

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "a" before words that begin with a consonant sound. For example, use "a higher level" instead of "an higher level".

Common error

Avoid using "an" before words starting with a consonant sound, such as "higher". Remember that "an" is generally used before vowel sounds (a, e, i, o, u) and "a" before consonant sounds.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an higher" functions as a modifier within a sentence, typically aiming to describe a noun with a comparative adjective. However, due to grammatical errors, the intended modification is incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, the proper article should be "a" since "higher" begins with a consonant sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

26%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an higher" is frequently used across different contexts, but Ludwig AI correctly identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The proper article to use before "higher" is "a", not "an", because "higher" starts with a consonant sound. While the intended meaning of comparison or superiority is often clear, using the grammatically correct phrase "a higher" enhances clarity and credibility. Alternatives such as "a greater" or "an elevated" can also be used, depending on the specific context and desired nuance. Remember to prioritize grammatical accuracy for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a higher

Corrects the grammatical error of using "an" before a consonant sound.

a greater

Replaces "higher" with a synonym that also implies a larger quantity or degree.

an elevated

Uses a different adjective to suggest a raised or improved state.

an increased

Focuses on the action of increasing rather than the state of being high.

an improved

Highlights the betterment or enhancement that has occurred.

a superior

Indicates a state of being better or of higher quality than something else.

an enhanced

Similar to 'improved', but often suggests a more significant or noticeable change.

a more significant

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the increase.

a steeper

Appropriate when describing an increase in slope or rate.

a marked

Highlights that the increase is noticeable or distinct.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "an higher"?

The correct phrase is "a higher". The article "a" should be used before words that begin with a consonant sound.

When should I use "a" versus "an"?

Use "a" before words that begin with a consonant sound (e.g., a house, a car, a higher level). Use "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound (e.g., an apple, an hour, an idea).

What are some alternatives to saying "an higher"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a greater", "an elevated", or "an increased".

Why is "an higher" considered grammatically incorrect?

The use of "an" is reserved for words starting with a vowel sound, not just a vowel letter. Since "higher" starts with a consonant sound (/h/), the correct article is "a", making "a higher" grammatically correct.