just above

USAGE SUMMARY

"just above" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You might use it to describe a location in relation to another; for example, "The red apples were just above the green apples in the basket."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is just above and beyond.

The Guardian - Books

On Wednesday, shares closed just above $78.

Forbes

We're just above break-even.

TechCrunch

AOL Time Warner Bonds Reduced To Just Above 'Junk'.

Forbes

For most diagnoses the HHI is just above 0.3.

Health Economics Review

Including white and the lightest gray just above white.

WikiHow

Temperature just above freezing.

The Guardian

The temperature was just above freezing.

The New Yorker

Just above was Connecticut at 13.6.

The New York Times

Water lapped gently just above its wheels.

The New York Times

His hand floated just above his hip.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "just above" to describe a position or level, ensure the reference point is clear to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "The shelf is just above eye level" provides a concrete reference.

Common error

Avoid using "just above" in situations where a more precise term is needed. Saying "The temperature is just above freezing" is acceptable, but in scientific writing, providing the exact temperature would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just above" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a relative position. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

33%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just above" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate a position or state that is slightly higher or beyond a reference point. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Wiki, and Science. While it's suitable for general descriptions, it's crucial to consider using more precise terms in technical contexts. The phrase's register is generally neutral, making it appropriate for a wide range of applications. Its semantic relationship with phrases like "slightly higher than" or "a little over" highlights its role in conveying subtle differences in position or level. Overall, "just above" is a reliable and frequently encountered phrase in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly higher than

Indicates a small difference in elevation or level, more explicitly.

a little over

Emphasizes a small excess or surpassing of a certain quantity or level.

marginally above

Highlights that the difference is minimal or barely noticeable.

just exceeding

Focuses on the act of surpassing a limit or threshold by a small amount.

a notch above

Suggests a small but distinct improvement or elevation in quality or position.

barely over

Indicates that something has surpassed a certain value or position with minimal margin.

in close proximity above

Focuses on the closeness of the position, emphasizing the adjacency more than the relative height.

immediately superior to

Highlights a direct comparison, indicating being slightly better or in a higher rank.

not quite beyond

Indicates something is close to but not fully exceeding a certain level or limit.

closely over

Implies a close range of values that are over a certain value.

FAQs

How can I use "just above" in a sentence?

You can use "just above" to indicate a position slightly higher than something else, as in "The painting was hung "just above" the fireplace". It can also describe a value or amount that is slightly more than a specified point, like "The price is "just above" the average".

What phrases are similar to "just above"?

Similar phrases include "slightly higher than", "a little over", or "marginally above", depending on the context. They all convey a similar meaning of being slightly beyond or higher than a reference point.

Is there a difference between "just above" and "directly above"?

Yes, "just above" implies a small distance or degree of separation, while "directly above" suggests being immediately and vertically over something without any horizontal offset. Therefore "directly above" has the implication of a perfectly perpendicular, vertical position.

When is it better to use a more precise term instead of "just above"?

In technical or scientific contexts, it's often better to use a more precise term or measurement instead of "just above". For instance, instead of saying "the level is "just above" the threshold", specify the exact measurement, like "the level is 2.5 units above the threshold".