fractionally above

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fractionally above" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quantity or measurement that is slightly higher than a specified value. Example: "The temperature today is fractionally above the average for this time of year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Nevertheless, Mr. Gould said that Bloomingdale's -- at least until the northeaster hits -- is running "fractionally above plan".

The New York Times

Strip out that sector, and only 16percentt of privately employed hourly workers took home at least $20 an hour, just fractionally above the 2000 level.

The New York Times

What if they count as middle income now only because they have huge numbers of people living fractionally above the poverty line?

The Economist

The 46 all out is fractionally above puberty, being dumped for the first time and discovering Hold On by Wilson Phillips on the list of formative experiences.

The Guardian - Sport

As he did so, Sione Kaamafoni joined in, Waldrom's legs rose fractionally above the horizontal and Kvesic, as a result, saw instant yellow.

The Guardian - Sport

The effect on the emissions outlook is dramatic, producing a peak atmospheric CO2 concentration in 2070 of just 460ppm (parts per million) - fractionally above the 450ppm that many scientists believe is the threshold for runaway climate change, and lower than even the most optimistic of the 40 climate scenarios by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The passes into Galicia are around 4,500' above sea level, fractionally higher than Ben Nevis.

The Guardian

What many people recall from the accident are the camera shots from a helicopter hovering above; Senna's head moving fractionally, offering hope he was still alive, before being attended to by Watkins and a number of marshals.

Independent

Since Katrina, the proportion of metropolitan New Orleans residents living in areas above sea level has risen only fractionally, from 38%to39%9%, according to Campanella – "although the change represents the first-ever reverse" of the city's century-long migration to areas below sea level.

The Guardian

The first struck the Salop Leisure Stand sign 30ft above the Shrewsbury goal, the second was fractionally lower, the third brought a good save from the goalkeeper, Jayson Leutwiler, and the fourth, a free-kick from just outside the area, hit Anthony Martial on the head and sailed over.

The Guardian - Sport

Platt was fractionally onside and Gascoigne fractionally off.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "fractionally above" when you want to emphasize that something only slightly exceeds a certain threshold, without exaggerating the extent of the difference.

Common error

Avoid using "fractionally above" when the actual difference is significant. This can mislead the reader into thinking the amount is negligible when it's not.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fractionally above" functions as an adverbial modifier combined with a preposition, typically used to quantify the degree to which something exceeds a certain point or threshold. This usage is supported by examples found by Ludwig, where it describes values slightly exceeding expectations or norms.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

14%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Science

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fractionally above" is a grammatically correct and useful expression to indicate that something is slightly more than a specific value. As shown by Ludwig, it's often used in news, wiki and academia, and its primary function is to precisely quantify the amount by which something exceeds a set point. When using "fractionally above", make sure it accurately reflects the magnitude of the difference and consider alternatives like "slightly higher than" or "marginally over" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly higher than

Emphasizes a minor increase in level or quantity.

fractionally greater than

Uses a more formal language indicating a very small increase.

marginally over

Highlights that the amount by which something exceeds is quite small.

just a bit more than

Indicates a small and often insignificant excess.

a tad above

Uses a more informal tone to convey a slight increase.

a shade over

Implies an almost imperceptible increase.

scarcely exceeding

Focuses on how little something surpasses a set point.

barely higher than

Suggests that the increase is minimal and possibly questionable.

a hair above

Emphasizes the smallness of the increase in a colloquial manner.

minutely higher than

Emphasizes the increase is so tiny.

FAQs

How can I use "fractionally above" in a sentence?

You can use "fractionally above" to indicate a quantity or measurement is slightly higher than a specified value. For example: "The company's profits were "fractionally above" expectations this quarter."

What is a good substitute for "fractionally above"?

Alternatives include "slightly higher than", "marginally over", or "just a bit more than". The choice depends on the context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "fractionally above" in formal writing?

Yes, "fractionally above" is suitable for formal writing. It provides a precise way to express a small degree of exceeding a certain level or quantity, especially in analytical or technical contexts.

What's the difference between "fractionally above" and "considerably above"?

"Fractionally above" indicates a very small difference, while "considerably above" indicates a significant difference. Use "fractionally above" when the difference is negligible, and "considerably above" when the difference is noteworthy.