modestly higher than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modestly higher than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slight increase in a quantity or value compared to another reference point. Example: "The new model's price is modestly higher than the previous version, making it a more premium option."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Mr. Obama's approval rating is in fact modestly higher than it was several months ago.

The New York Times

Excluding payments to advertising partners, revenue was $1.21 billion, or modestly higher than the $1.19 billion that analysts had expected.

The New York Times - Tech

The move comes as the pace of deals in the hedge fund space are only modestly higher than last year.

The New York Times

That fraction is modestly higher than in other recent primaries; 53 percent of the turnout in the 2008 Republican primary came from the Chicago area, for instance.

The New York Times

Two weeks ago, Romney could hope for a similar scenario: His numbers had ticked up slightly following the introduction of Paul Ryan as his running mate, and if his convention bounce had been modestly higher than Obama's he probably would have entered the stretch run in the lead.

The New York Times

Its analysts are forecasting that in three to five years the stocks they follow will trade only modestly higher than they do today.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

In contrast, our analysis shows that in the VA setting, glucose levels are comparable or lower in blacks than in whites, and A1C levels are generally only modestly higher in blacks than in whites (and within the range attributable to the glucose-independent association between race and A1C).

Diabetes Care

Gerwyn Davies, labour market adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, said firms employing migrant workers have modestly higher productivity levels than those who do not.

Independent

What the center finds is a budget outlook that, as I said, isn't great but isn't terrible: It projects that the ratio of debt to G.D.P., the standard measure of America's debt position, will be only modestly higher in 2022 than it is now.

The New York Times

36 39 Our finding that students studying liberal arts reported a significantly higher occurrence of suicidal ideation and also modestly higher suicide attempt than their peers studying Engineering and Science is interesting.

BMJ Open

There was no significant effect modification by diabetes (P ≥ 0.13) except in the case of LpPLA2 activity's relation to total/HDL cholesterol (P = 0.007), for which the partial coefficient was modestly higher for nondiabetic than diabetic participants (r = 0.59 vs. 0.47).

Diabetes Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing data sets or experimental results, use "modestly higher than" to accurately convey a subtle difference without exaggerating the findings.

Common error

Avoid using "modestly higher than" when the difference is substantial, as it can mislead readers. Opt for stronger comparatives such as "significantly higher" or "considerably greater" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modestly higher than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe something as being slightly superior to something else, as illustrated in the Ludwig examples. This is confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "modestly higher than" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate a small degree of superiority. According to Ludwig AI, it serves to compare two items or quantities in a manner that is both precise and informative. Predominantly used in science and news contexts, and according to the examples provided by Ludwig, this phrase allows writers to accurately represent data without exaggeration. When using "modestly higher than", ensure that the context warrants a subtle comparison, and avoid overstating the difference. Alternatives such as "slightly greater than" or "somewhat above" can be used for slight nuances, but they keep the same underlying meaning. Ultimately, understanding the context and intent is key to correctly using the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly greater than

Emphasizes a small difference in magnitude.

a bit more than

More informal, suggesting a small and perhaps inexact difference.

marginally superior to

More formal, highlighting a slight advantage or benefit.

somewhat above

Focuses on the position being a little higher on a scale or range.

just over

Indicates a quantity that is barely exceeding a specific value.

negligibly exceeding

Highlights that the difference is so small it's almost not worth noting.

scarcely surpassing

Suggests the increase is minimal and perhaps unexpected.

fractionally exceeding

Implies a very small difference often expressed numerically.

inches above

Visual metaphor suggesting a small increase in height or level.

a touch better than

Informal and subjective, suggesting a small improvement.

FAQs

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

You can use "modestly higher than" to compare two values or quantities where one is slightly greater than the other. For example, "The company's profits this quarter were "modestly higher than" last quarter's."

What are some alternatives to "modestly higher than"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly greater than", "somewhat above", or "marginally superior to" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "modestly higher than" in formal writing?

Yes, "modestly higher than" is suitable for formal writing when you need to describe a small difference. It's more precise than informal alternatives such as "a bit more than".

What's the difference between "slightly higher than" and "modestly higher than"?

While both phrases indicate a small difference, "modestly higher than" suggests a slightly more noticeable or significant difference compared to "slightly higher than". The choice depends on the context and the degree of difference you want to convey.