highest mark

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “highest mark” is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the highest grade or score someone received in a test or assignment. For example, "John received the highest mark in the class on his math test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

It bore the highest mark, about 6-foot-6.

The New York Times

"Which girl has the highest mark, Jane?" "Miss USA, Helen.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Last year, ridership hit its highest mark since 1949.

The New York Times

In Chile, 87percentt of teachers answered affirmatively, the highest mark on the relevance scale.

The Washington Post

Lorem ended up earning the second highest mark in that entire region of Kenya.

The New York Times

Mesko's net average, 38.4 yards per punt, was the highest mark for a rookie.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Utah earned the highest marks.

Forbes

Get the highest marks in all subjects.

WikiHow

Portland allowed opponents to score 0.94 points per possession on post-ups, the second-highest mark in the league.

The Washington Post

Playing in his fourth professional season, Bogaerts is hitting.359, the second-highest mark in the league among qualified hitters.

The Washington Post

And he got an even higher mark.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing achievements outside of academic settings, consider alternatives like "peak achievement" or "gold standard" for greater impact.

Common error

Avoid using "highest mark" when describing general accomplishments. Alternatives like "greatest achievement" or "top performance" are more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highest mark" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It denotes the maximum or best possible score achievable in a given assessment or competition. Ludwig examples confirm its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "highest mark" is grammatically sound and widely accepted in written English. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively denotes the peak score or achievement in a given context, particularly in academic or assessment-related scenarios. Its usage spans across various registers, from neutral news reporting to formal academic discussions, with some examples found in scientific and wiki sources. When communicating about achievements beyond academics, consider more versatile alternatives such as "peak achievement" or "gold standard".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

top score

More concise and direct, suitable for general contexts.

best grade

Specifically refers to academic grading systems.

highest grade

A more verbose alternative that emphasizes the concept of grading.

maximum score

Highlights the attainment of the highest possible numerical value.

peak achievement

Emphasizes accomplishment and success.

top of the class

Indicates the leading position in an academic setting.

best in show

Figurative alternative used in competitions.

gold standard

Implies a benchmark of excellence.

number one

Simple and direct way to express being the best.

leading position

Emphasizes a competitive edge or advantage.

FAQs

How can I use "highest mark" in a sentence?

You can use "highest mark" to describe achieving the best possible score, as in, "She received the "highest mark" on the exam."

What's a good alternative to "highest mark"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "top score", "best grade", or "peak achievement".

Is "highest mark" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "highest mark" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in academic or professional contexts where scores or grades are discussed.

What is the difference between "highest mark" and "best grade"?

While similar, "highest mark" is a more general term for the best score. "Best grade" specifically refers to academic grading systems.