comparatively high

USAGE SUMMARY

"comparatively high" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to compare one thing to another when one is higher than the other (but not necessarily the highest). For example, "The cost of living in this town is comparatively high compared to other nearby towns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are an anomaly compared to other wealthy democracies in our comparatively high rate church/synagogue/mosque attendance.

Huffington Post

We obtained comparatively high absolute values of CECs in this study, compared with the literature.

Critical Care

His cigarette outlay runs comparatively high.

The New Yorker

The System kids tend to be comparatively high achievers.

The Guardian - Music

That is because of the comparatively high environmental consciousness of residents there, Ms. Crozier said.

The New York Times

The second one, £26m, was comparatively high but in today's market another piece of positioning.

The Guardian - Sport

Smaller firms, squeezed by comparatively high overheads, have been the most vulnerable.

The New York Times

That time is "comparatively high relative to other programs," Ms. Cronin said.

The New York Times

Among the thorniest issues are comparatively high prices, shabby infrastructure and poor service.

The Guardian

States with comparatively high prices for energy, like California, have made the most striking progress.

The New York Times

The comparatively high grant-success performance, Mr. Brown said, means Google is making high-quality applications.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comparatively high" to indicate a noticeable difference without implying the highest possible level. This helps to provide a balanced perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "comparatively high" when the difference is actually extreme. If something is truly the highest, use terms like "highest", "peak", or "maximum" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comparatively high" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by an adjective. It modifies a noun or noun phrase, indicating that something is high in relation to something else. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is suitable for comparing different elements, one of them is higher than the other.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "comparatively high" is a versatile phrase used to describe something that is at a higher level when compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is a correct and usable expression in English writing. It's particularly common in contexts such as science, news and media, and formal business. While generally appropriate for formal writing, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for broad application. Remember to use it when you want to express that something is notably above average in relation to a comparison point, without necessarily being the absolute highest.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatively elevated

Replaces "high" with "elevated", adding a slightly more formal tone.

distinctly higher

Highlights a clear and apparent difference in level or degree.

moderately increased

Substitutes "high" with "increased" and "comparatively" with "moderately", suggesting a less significant difference.

noticeably greater

Emphasizes that the difference is easily observed.

appreciably larger

Focuses on a size or quantity that is noticeably bigger.

proportionately greater

Suggests the increase is in relation to another factor or proportion.

significantly above average

Indicates a level considerably exceeding the norm.

markedly superior

Suggests a clear and evident improvement or advantage.

somewhat substantial

Implies that the degree is not overwhelming but still considerable.

measurably advanced

Indicates that the increase can be quantified or measured.

FAQs

How can I use "comparatively high" in a sentence?

Use "comparatively high" to describe something that is above average when directly compared to something else. For example, "The interest rates are "comparatively high" when you look at other options."

What's a good alternative to "comparatively high"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "comparatively high" include "relatively elevated", "moderately increased", or "distinctly higher".

Is it correct to say "comparatively highest"?

While grammatically understandable, "comparatively highest" is less common and can sound awkward. It's generally better to use "relatively high" or find another way to express the idea, such as "among the highest".

What is the difference between "relatively high" and "comparatively high"?

"Relatively high" and "comparatively high" are very similar and often interchangeable. However, "comparatively high" typically implies a direct comparison to a specific alternative, whereas "relatively high" can refer to a general standard or average.