high grades

USAGE SUMMARY

"high grades" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, you could write, "I worked hard all semester and was pleased to receive high grades at the end of the year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cash for high grades.

The Washington Post

"I always wanted to have high grades.

The Guardian

Value creativity and passion over high grades.

Harvard Business Review

But critics refuse to award high grades for attendance alone.

The New York Times

The birdsy do not get such high grades there, either.

The New York Times

With stakes so high, grades now count more than ever.

The New York Times

Young people with high grades can't get a job.

The New York Times

He always had high grades and test scores, he said.

The New York Times - Science

When I was at school, getting high grades seemed impossible.

The Guardian

"They worked so hard to get these high grades.

The New York Times

We were thinking that encouraging high grades was helping you.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "high grades" to emphasize academic achievement and competence. It's appropriate for discussing educational performance and requirements.

Common error

While "high grades" are important, remember that holistic development, including soft skills and extracurricular activities, is also valuable. Don't suggest that grades are the only measure of success.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "high grades" is to act as a noun phrase that describes a level of academic achievement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and commonly used. Examples show it functioning as the object of a verb (e.g., "get high grades") or as part of a prepositional phrase (e.g., "with high grades").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

24%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "high grades" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase referring to excellent academic performance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It functions as a noun phrase, primarily used to indicate success in academic contexts. While generally neutral in register, its use is most appropriate in formal or semi-formal discussions about education. The phrase is frequently found in news media and academic sources. When discussing "high grades", remember to consider the broader context of a student's development and avoid overemphasizing grades as the sole measure of success. Alternatives such as "excellent marks" or "top scores" may be more suitable depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excellent marks

Replaces "grades" with "marks" and "high" with "excellent", focusing on a positive evaluation.

top scores

Focuses on numerical results rather than general grades, implying a high level of achievement.

outstanding grades

Replaces "high" with "outstanding", emphasizing exceptional performance.

superior marks

Similar to "excellent marks", but with a slightly more formal tone.

first-class grades

Emphasizes the quality and ranking of the grades.

exceptional scores

Similar to "top scores", but with emphasis on being beyond average scores.

excellent academic performance

Reframes "high grades" as a measure of overall academic performance, not just individual grades.

impressive grades

Indicates grades that are noteworthy or remarkable.

remarkable academic achievement

Highlights academic successes in a broader way.

laudable grades

Emphasizes grades deserving praise or commendation, adding a formal tone.

FAQs

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

You can use "high grades" to describe academic achievements, such as "She needs "high grades" to get into a top university" or "Maintaining "high grades" requires consistent effort".

What are some alternatives to saying "high grades"?

Alternatives include "excellent marks", "top scores", or "outstanding grades" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to have "high grades" for success?

While "high grades" can open doors, they are not the only determinant of success. Skills, experience, and networking also play crucial roles. Not every field requires "high grades" to excel.

What's the difference between "high grades" and "good grades"?

"Good grades" generally indicate satisfactory performance, while "high grades" suggest exceptional or top-tier performance. The choice depends on the level of achievement you want to emphasize.