be higher than a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be higher than a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in informal contexts, often to describe someone who is in a state of euphoria or intoxication, typically referring to being high on drugs or feeling ecstatic. Example: "After winning the championship, the team was higher than a kite, celebrating their victory all night."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

The relevant frequencies can be higher than a thousand times a second.

The New York Times - Science

And I have no ambition to be higher than a certain level.

Independent

Even a brilliant professor, your grade cannot be higher than a vice-chancellor.

The Economist

Add to this that the insurance appraisal is likely to be higher than a home's market value.

The New York Times

Outright sales have been ruled out because the returns for the Greek state wouldn't be higher than a leasehold arrangement, he said.

The Guardian - Business

Mr. Hundertwasser adhered to his own rule that no building should be higher than a tree by crowning its rooftop with a forest.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Expenses at Southwest climbed 7.1percentto to $1.4 billion, and the carrier said it expected costs this quarter to be higher than a year ago.

The New York Times

An earl is higher than a lord.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The status of a teacher is higher than a father.

The New York Times

The standard is higher than a karaoke bar, lower than the second round of Popstars.

The Guardian

The wages are higher than a woman could get ashore, and these days there are bonuses.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be higher than a" to describe a comparative relationship, ensure that both elements being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "the risk will be higher than a normal level", specify what constitutes a 'normal level'.

Common error

Avoid using "be higher than a" without providing a clear reference point for the comparison. For example, saying "prices will be higher" is vague. Instead, specify "prices will be higher than last year" to provide a meaningful comparison.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "be higher than a" is to form a comparative statement, indicating that one entity or value exceeds another. Ludwig shows its versatile use across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be higher than a" is a versatile comparative expression used to indicate that one thing exceeds another in magnitude, level, or degree. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in scientific and news media. It is important to provide a clear point of reference for the comparison to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "exceed a certain limit" or "surpass a specific threshold" can be used depending on the context. The phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceed a certain limit

Focuses on surpassing a defined boundary, shifting from direct comparison to boundary transgression.

surpass a specific threshold

Highlights the act of exceeding a particular benchmark, changing the phrasing to emphasize accomplishment.

outstrip a given level

Emphasizes exceeding in a competitive sense, presenting a more assertive tone.

go beyond a set standard

Highlights surpassing an expected level, which provides a sense of achieving more than what's anticipated

outdo a particular measure

Focuses on exceeding in performance, making it suitable in contexts that involve evaluation.

better a defined amount

Implies improvement over a specific quantity, providing a sense of surpassing an expected baseline.

rise above a certain point

Highlights overcoming a fixed mark, making it suitable for describing upward movement or growth.

top a designated value

Emphasizes achieving a superior value, ideal for discussions about surpassing numerical standards.

pass a prescribed amount

Focuses on successfully going beyond a certain amount, suggesting a formal or regulated setting.

transcend a stipulated measure

Implies surpassing something in a significant or exceptional way, often used in philosophical or abstract contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "be higher than a" in a sentence?

You can use "be higher than a" to compare two values or levels, indicating that one exceeds the other. For example, "The cost of living in New York is higher than a small town".

What's the difference between "be higher than a" and "be greater than a"?

While both phrases indicate exceeding a certain level, "be higher than a" is often used in a more general sense, while "be greater than a" is typically used when referring to numerical values or quantities.

What can I say instead of "be higher than a"?

You can use alternatives like "exceed a certain limit", "surpass a specific threshold", or "outstrip a given level" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the value is be higher than a threshold"?

No, the correct phrasing is "the value must be higher than a threshold" or "the value should be higher than a threshold". The auxiliary verb "be" needs to be conjugated appropriately to fit the context.