higher than average

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "higher than average" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it when comparing one thing to a standard or norm. For example: "The test scores of the students in Mrs. Smith's class were higher than average."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

A higher than average injury rate.

The Guardian - Sport

"And it's probably a lot higher than average.

The New York Times

If you are a professor at Yale, it's sort of even a little higher than average, substantially higher than average.

Yale University

Women police officers have much higher than average fitness levels.

The Guardian

Results indicated that higher than average sleep quality buffered the effect of higher than average NSIs on maternal mood (i.e., buffered mood reactivity) and appeared to promote mood recovery following a particularly "bad day" (i.e., higher than average NSIs).

Stanford University

Welfare benefits are higher than average wages in many countries.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

There is a strong correlation between international co-authorship and higher-than average citations.

The Guardian

Countries with higher-than-average inflation rates tend to have higher-than-average nominal interest rates.

The Economist

He does seem to still have a higher-than-average number of celebrity friends.

The Guardian - Film

Nearly a third of India's meteorological districts received higher-than-average rains, according to government figures.

The New York Times

Rolling Stone and Us Weekly also had moderately higher-than-average sales with their Obama covers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "higher than average", specify the metric or standard being compared to provide context and clarity. For example, instead of saying "The test scores were higher than average", specify "The test scores were higher than the average score for the district".

Common error

Ensure you're not using "higher than average" in contexts where the average is unclear or undefined. This can lead to ambiguity and weaken your statement. Always establish a clear baseline for comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "higher than average" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that the noun's attribute is greater than the typical or expected level. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and frequently used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

18%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "higher than average" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that functions as a comparative adjective, indicating that something exceeds the typical or expected level. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for various writing contexts and is particularly common in news, academic, and scientific domains. When using "higher than average", ensure that you specify the reference point to avoid ambiguity and maintain clarity. Alternative phrases such as "above average" or "greater than average" can be used for variety. While the phrase is broadly applicable, it's important to consider the specific context and ensure that the comparison is well-defined and meaningful. The phrase maintains a neutral register, appropriate for a range of formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

above average

Replaces "higher than" with "above", maintaining a direct comparison to the average.

greater than average

Substitutes "higher" with "greater", which is applicable in many numerical contexts.

exceeding the norm

Uses a more formal tone to indicate surpassing the typical standard.

above the expected level

Indicates that something is beyond what is normally anticipated.

surpassing the mean

Employs statistical terminology, replacing "average" with "mean" for precision.

beyond the median

Similar to 'surpassing the mean', but uses 'median' for statistical contexts where the median is the average.

outperforming the typical level

Focuses on the action of exceeding a standard, emphasizing performance.

an elevated rate

Uses "elevated" to suggest an increase in rate compared to the average rate.

a superior grade

Implies a better quality or rank in comparison to the average or standard.

in the upper percentile

Positions something within a higher statistical range compared to the average.

FAQs

How can I use "higher than average" in a sentence?

You can use "higher than average" to compare a specific value or quantity to the typical or expected value. For instance, "The company's profits were "above average" this quarter."

What are some alternatives to saying "higher than average"?

Alternatives include "above average", "greater than average", or "exceeding the norm". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "higher than average" or "above average"?

Both "higher than average" and "above average" are generally acceptable. "Above average" is often more concise, but "higher than average" can sometimes provide a more explicit comparison.

When should I use "higher than average" instead of "larger than average"?

Use "higher than average" when referring to quantities that are not necessarily physical sizes, such as scores, rates, or levels. Use "larger than average" when referring to physical sizes or dimensions. For example: the test scores were "higher than average". The house was "larger than average".