greater than normal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greater than normal" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "Recent temperature readings have been greater than normal in this region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Precipitation and snowfall will be greater than normal.

The New York Times - Travel

This distinct layer contains iridium concentrations that are hundreds of times greater than normal on Earth.

The Guardian

The adult animals also showed a greater than normal response to pain, Dr. Ruda said.

The New York Times

"The uncertainty is greater than normal in this case because of the complexity of the transactions".

The New York Times

He said: In the first half, we believe defence and, perhaps, marine contributed to a greater than normal cash outflow.

The Guardian - Business

Hailstorms form within a unusually unstable air mass in which the temperature falloff with height is much greater than normal.

The Guardian

The mice show greater than normal muscle size and strength and do not lose it as they age.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Supplement-takers are better-educated, more-affluent people who, almost by definition, take a greater-than-normal interest in personal health — confounding factors that probably account for their superior health.

The New York Times - Magazine

This June, a greater-than-normal number of thunderstorms contributed to the pile-up of delays, which rose sharply against the expectations of the airline industry and the F.A.A.

The New York Times

However, the greater-than-normal variability in observed Vrel/TLC was accounted for largely by BMI (r = -0.63).

Critical Care

Furthermore, the schizophrenia patients showed marked reductions in the volume of Brodmann area (BA) 10 of the prefrontal cortex, while the SPD group showed greater-than-normal volume.

Current Psychiatry Reports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing data or measurements, use "greater than normal" to clearly indicate that a value exceeds the expected or average range. For instance, "The patient's blood pressure was greater than normal, requiring immediate attention."

Common error

Avoid implying causation when using "greater than normal". While a value might be higher than usual, it doesn't automatically mean it's the cause of a specific outcome. For example, saying "The rainfall was greater than normal, causing the flood" might be an oversimplification. More factors could be involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greater than normal" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that a particular attribute or quantity exceeds its typical or expected level. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. Many examples can be found in different contexts in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

40%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "greater than normal" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used comparative adjective phrase that signifies something exceeding the typical or expected level. As Ludwig AI has shown, it is versatile and appears across diverse contexts, from news reporting to scientific research. While alternatives like "above average" and "higher than usual" exist, "greater than normal" maintains a level of precision suitable for formal and technical writing. When using this phrase, it's essential to avoid implying causation without supporting evidence. Its widespread usage and clear meaning make it a reliable choice for describing deviations from the norm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

above average

Replaces "greater" with "above" and "normal" with "average", focusing on surpassing the typical value.

higher than usual

Substitutes "normal" with "usual", emphasizing a deviation from the common state.

more than typical

Uses "more than" instead of "greater than", highlighting the exceeding of a standard.

exceeding the norm

Replaces "greater than normal" with a verb phrase, focusing on surpassing the standard.

beyond the standard

Similar to 'exceeding the norm', but using 'beyond' to convey surpassing the standard.

above the expected level

More specific, indicating that something is higher than anticipated.

in excess of what's typical

Uses "in excess of" to emphasize the surplus compared to the typical amount.

out of the ordinary

Focuses on the unusual nature of the situation, deviating from what is common.

uncommonly high

Adverb-adjective combination emphasizing the unusual elevation.

anomalously high

Emphasizes the irregular or deviating nature from what is expected.

FAQs

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

Use "greater than normal" to describe something that exceeds the typical or expected level. For example, "The concentration of pollutants was "higher than normal" in the river after the storm".

What can I say instead of "greater than normal"?

You can use alternatives such as "above average", "higher than usual", or "more than typical" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "more than normal" instead of "greater than normal"?

While "more than normal" is understandable, "greater than normal" is often preferred in formal or technical contexts as it is slightly more precise, especially when dealing with measurable quantities.

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

"Higher than normal" is often used for vertical measurements or levels, while "greater than normal" can apply to any quantifiable amount or degree. However, in many cases, they are interchangeable.