greater than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greater than" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in mathematical contexts to compare two values, indicating that one value is larger than another. Example: "In the equation, 5 is greater than 3."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Greater Than in 1912.

The New York Times

Greater Than Year Ago.

The New York Times

WINNER: "Greater Than [Live]" — Tye Tribbett.

Los Angeles Times

She had a vision greater than mine.

The New York Times

"That cause is greater than the Senate.

The New Yorker

It is greater than the government.

The New Yorker

But his loss is greater than that.

The New Yorker

The whole is greater than the sum.

The New York Times

"God is greater than Muammar el-Qaddafi.

The New York Times

"The threat is greater than ever".

The New York Times

Readings greater than zero signal growth.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing numerical values, use "greater than" to clearly indicate that one value is larger than another. For example, "The result is greater than 50."

Common error

Avoid using "greater than" when you simply mean "very" or "significant". For example, instead of saying "The impact was greater than expected", consider "The impact was more significant than expected" or "The impact was larger than expected" if the context isn't directly numerical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greater than" functions as a comparative operator, primarily used to establish a relationship between two quantities or values, indicating that one is of a higher magnitude than the other. Ludwig's examples illustrate this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "greater than" is a common and grammatically sound comparative expression used to indicate that one value or quantity exceeds another. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, including formal, scientific, and general communication. To enhance clarity, avoid using "greater than" when a non-numerical comparison is intended, and consider alternatives like "more than" or "exceeding" for varied expression. Remember that "greater than" is the correct phrasing; "greater then" is an error.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than

A simpler and more common alternative to express a higher quantity or degree.

exceeding

Indicates surpassing a specific limit or value.

surpassing

Implies going beyond a certain level or expectation.

higher than

Directly indicates a higher position or value in a measurable scale.

larger than

Specifically refers to size or quantity being bigger.

above

A concise way to indicate a position or level that is higher.

over

Indicates being in excess of a specific amount or limit.

outstripping

Suggests exceeding someone or something in performance or achievement.

outweighing

Implies a greater importance or influence.

towering over

Describes something significantly taller or more prominent.

FAQs

How do I use "greater than" in a sentence?

"Greater than" is used to compare two values, indicating that one is larger than the other. For example, "The population of the city is "more than" one million."

What's the difference between "greater than" and "more than"?

While both phrases indicate that one quantity is larger, "greater than" is often used in more formal or mathematical contexts, while "more than" is generally used in everyday language. For example, you might say "x is greater than y" in algebra, but "I have "more than" enough time" in a conversation.

Which is correct: "greater then" or "greater than"?

"Greater than" is the correct phrasing. "Then" is used to indicate time or sequence, while "than" is used for comparisons.

Are there any synonyms for "greater than" in specific contexts?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "exceeding", "surpassing", or "higher than". In some cases, a simpler phrase like "above" or "over" might also be suitable.