more graves than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more graves than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are comparing quantities, often in a metaphorical or dramatic sense, to emphasize a significant difference. Example: "In this town, there are more graves than living residents, a haunting reminder of its tragic past."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"In the woods there, there are more graves than there are trees".

The New Yorker

When he suspects that there are more graves than the existing stones indicate, he uses ground-penetrating radar equipment to find them.

The New York Times

There are far more graves than living souls here.

BBC

The article also stated that the government was digging more graves than previously established.

Wikipedia

In these later impressions, there were now more graves than there were men.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Could there be any disaster more grave than the one we're already living?

The New York Times

But the motives behind some attacks are more grave than others.

The Guardian - Tech

"Is the criminality more grave than the criminality of MPs and peers involved in the expenses scandal case?

The Guardian - Sport

The crisis, Mayor Bloomberg has said, presents challenges more grave than those New York confronted after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The New York Times

There is no function of government more grave than the death penalty and yet the whole process is shrouded in secrecy".

The Guardian

Mr. Rangel, 80, who may face censure in front of the full House as early as this week, is arguing that the punishment — a move short of expulsion — is reserved for violations more grave than those he committed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "more graves than", ensure the comparison is logical and adds a layer of depth to your description. This phrase often evokes a sense of loss, tragedy, or historical significance.

Common error

Avoid using "more graves than" in contexts where it trivializes death or loss. This phrase carries significant emotional weight and should be used with sensitivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more graves than" serves as a comparative quantifier, indicating a greater number of graves relative to something else. Ludwig AI shows that it is generally used in descriptive contexts to highlight a significant disparity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more graves than" functions as a comparative quantifier, used to highlight a significant disparity in the number of graves relative to another element. Ludwig AI indicates that while grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, it carries a somber tone and is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources. Its primary purpose is to emphasize historical significance, loss, or tragedy. Though often neutral in register, careful consideration should be given to its emotional weight to avoid trivializing sensitive subjects. Best practice involves ensuring the comparison is logical and adds depth to the narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more deaths than

Replaces 'graves' with 'deaths', focusing directly on the mortality rate rather than the physical markers.

higher number of graves than

Rephrases to emphasize the numerical aspect of the comparison explicitly.

outnumbering the graves

Uses a verb to indicate that something exceeds the number of graves.

graves exceeding in number

Inverts the sentence structure to highlight the excess in graves.

more burial sites than

Substitutes 'graves' with the broader term 'burial sites', encompassing various forms of interment.

a surplus of graves compared to

Indicates an excess of graves relative to something else.

the graves surpass in quantity

Formal rephrasing emphasizing the numerical dominance of graves.

greater number of interments than

Replaces 'graves' with 'interments', a more formal term for burials.

the number of graves is higher than

Directly compares the numerical count of graves to something else.

an overabundance of graves in comparison to

Highlights the excessive amount of graves relative to something.

FAQs

How can I use "more graves than" in a sentence?

You can use "more graves than" to compare the number of graves to something else, often to emphasize loss or historical significance. For example, "In that old town, there were "more graves than" houses, a stark reminder of the past."

What does it mean when someone says there are "more graves than" something else?

It typically means that the number of graves is disproportionately high, suggesting a significant loss of life, a tragic event, or a place steeped in history.

Is it appropriate to use "more graves than" in casual conversation?

It depends on the context. While grammatically correct, the phrase carries a somber tone. It's best reserved for discussions about history, loss, or places with significant mortality.

What are some alternatives to "more graves than" that convey a similar meaning?

Alternatives include phrases like "a disproportionate number of graves", "a surplus of graves", or "graves outnumbering" /s/graves+outnumbering, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.