higher then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "higher then" is not correct; it should be "higher than." You can use "higher than" when comparing two or more things in terms of elevation, quantity, or degree.
Example: "The mountain is higher than the hill."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Sometimes the roof was higher, then lower," Mr. O'Brien wrote.

The New York Times

Voter turnout was vastly higher then than now.

The New York Times - Books

The boy's lead level went even higher; then it went down.

The New York Times

"If it's 325,000 and higher, then we're in good shape".

The New York Times

"It's a lot higher then Kenya, where I used to go," added Farah.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet the average income tax burden of the wealthy was actually higher then.

The New York Times

If unemployment climbs much higher, then consumers are likely to take fright.

The Economist

Ratings for big events were higher then than they are now.

The New York Times - Sports

"Not worried yet, but concerned that if the number goes higher, then it could dilute our investment".

The New York Times

If the price of the energy is much higher, then they tend to use the water more efficiently".

The Guardian

They later edged higher, then fell again this month after Shell announced another, though much smaller, downward revision of reserves.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "than" for comparisons. "Then" indicates time sequence.

Common error

Avoid using "then" when you mean "than" in comparative sentences. "Then" refers to a time sequence, while "than" is used to compare.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "higher then" functions as a comparative, attempting to express that something is at a greater level or degree. However, this is grammatically incorrect, as noted by Ludwig AI. The correct form is "higher than".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

35%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "higher then" is frequently used, as demonstrated by the numerous examples found by Ludwig, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "higher than", which is used to make comparisons. "Then" refers to time, not comparison. Despite its common occurrence in news, science and wiki sources, it should be avoided in formal writing. Remember to use alternatives like "greater than", "larger than", or "more than" and to always double-check for the correct usage of "than" versus "then" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greater than

Replaces "higher" with a more general term for comparison of quantity or degree.

larger than

Similar to "greater than", focusing on size or amount.

taller than

Specifically refers to height, maintaining the original context of "higher".

bigger than

Similar to "larger than", implying greater size or volume.

more than

General comparison of quantity or degree, applicable in various contexts.

exceeding

Formal alternative, implying that something surpasses a certain limit.

surpassing

Similar to "exceeding", suggesting something goes beyond a particular level.

above

Shorter and more direct, indicating a position or level that is superior.

over

Simple alternative indicating a greater quantity or degree.

outstripping

Implies exceeding or surpassing something in a competitive or progressive context.

FAQs

What is the correct way to write a comparison: "higher then" or "higher than"?

The correct phrase is "higher than". "Higher than" is used to compare two things, while "then" refers to time.

When should I use "then" in a sentence?

"Then" is used to indicate a sequence of events or a point in time. For example, "I went to the store, then I went home."

What are some alternatives to saying "higher than"?

Some alternatives to "higher than" include "greater than", "larger than", or "more than" depending on the context.

How can I remember the difference between "than" and "then"?

Think of "than" as being used for comparison, like "compare". "Then" relates to time, like "when".