higher of the two

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "higher of the two" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to compare two different objects, actions, or ideas and state that one is greater or higher than the other. For example: "The peak of Mount Everest is the higher of the two mountains in the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The higher of the two tiers of the church will be just below a small parking lot behind the building.

The New York Times

(Systolic pressure, as the article noted elsewhere, is the higher of the two readings, taken when the heart contracts).

The New York Times

Eligibility is generally based on the higher of the two credit scores, as are the interest rate and fees.

The New York Times

"It is time the chancellor stopped squeezing rail commuters by using the higher of the two inflation measures".

Independent

The tectonic plates had been grating against each other for millenniums, and now the higher of the two was lifted perhaps 60 feet.

The New York Times

The reason is that the regular and alternative systems are not integrated, but they operate like parallel tax universes, and you pay the higher of the two.

The New York Times

Jesse and Aya Forster bid full asking price, the higher of the two offers, and they signed a contract two days later.

The New York Times

The western mountains are the higher of the two and rise to 4,741 feet (1,445 metres) at Mayor Peak (Puig Major).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Only one state, Colorado, now has an obesity rate under 20 percent (obesity is the higher of the two body-mass indexes, the other being overweight).

The New York Times

Melchizedek priesthood, in the Mormon church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), the higher of the two priesthoods, concerned with spiritual rather than Saintsr mathers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"If you were in a situation where you would get more money from the Homestead Rebate and the other two programs, then you'd take the higher of the two," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "higher of the two" when comparing two distinct values or measurements and you need to indicate the greater one for a specific calculation or decision.

Common error

Avoid using "the higher two" when you mean "the higher of the two". The former suggests there are more than two items, and you're referring to the two that are higher, while the latter clearly indicates a choice between exactly two items.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "higher of the two" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies an implied noun, indicating which of two items possesses a greater degree of a particular attribute (height, value, score, etc.). Ludwig confirms this phrase is frequently used in english writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "higher of the two" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for indicating the greater of two options. Ludwig's AI validates its correctness and common usage. It finds application across various domains, especially science and news, as evidenced by the many examples found by Ludwig. When writing, be sure to use "higher of the two" only when strictly comparing two items, and consider more precise terms in technical contexts for enhanced clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Greater of the two

Replaces "higher" with "greater", emphasizing magnitude rather than vertical position.

Larger of the two

Substitutes "higher" with "larger", focusing on size or amount.

Bigger of the two

Uses the more informal "bigger" instead of "higher", while maintaining the meaning of greater size.

Maximum of the two

Replaces "higher" with "maximum", highlighting the uppermost limit.

Superior of the two

Focuses on the quality or rank, where one is better than the other.

The greater value

Uses "value" instead of an implicit noun, making the comparison more abstract.

The larger amount

Replaces "higher" with "larger" and specifies "amount", making the comparison more concrete.

The maximum value

Combines "maximum" and "value" for a focus on the greatest quantifiable aspect.

The greater one

Uses "one" as a pronoun to refer to the unspecified item being compared.

The upper limit

Shifts the focus to the boundary or extreme of the item being measured.

FAQs

How can I use "higher of the two" in a sentence?

You can use "higher of the two" to compare values. For example, "The final score was determined by taking the "higher of the two" judges' scores".

What's the difference between "higher of the two" and "greater of the two"?

While both phrases are very similar, "higher of the two" implies a vertical or hierarchical comparison, whereas "greater of the two" is a more general comparison of magnitude or value. They are often interchangeable, but context may favor one over the other.

Is it grammatically correct to say "highest of the two" instead of "higher of the two"?

No, using "highest of the two" is grammatically incorrect. "Highest" implies a comparison among three or more items. When comparing only two items, use the comparative form, which is "higher".

What are some alternatives to "higher of the two" in technical writing?

In technical writing, consider using more precise terms like "maximum value" or "the greater value" for clarity. For example, instead of "Use the "higher of the two" measurements", you could say "Use the maximum measured value".