more than average

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more than average" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that exceeds the typical or standard level of quality, quantity, or performance. Example: "Her performance in the competition was more than average, earning her a spot on the podium."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Broadly speaking, between 1980 and 2005, bonuses and salaries in finance increased 70 percent more than average pay elsewhere.

The New York Times

Haig was then 10, and no more than average academically.

The Guardian

So who saved even more than average in 2009?

The New York Times

More than average annual wage NARRATOR: It's much harder to get healthy.

Cornell University

McAllen's population drinks 60percentt more than average and has a 38percentt obesity rate.

The New York Times

The back seat had more than average legroom for its class.

The New York Times

So that grandson (or granddaughter) mentioned previously could expect to earn 42percentt more than average.

The New York Times

And they swallowed the tomatoey mince and new potatoes without more than average complaining.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A person reducing his carbon footprint more than average makes money.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

She watched us with more-than-average trepidation.

Forbes

He was born in the East Side, and had a no more than average boy's liking for trees.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two or more items, ensure that the comparison is explicitly stated. For instance, instead of saying "This product is more than average", specify "This product is more than the average product in its class."

Common error

Avoid using "more than average" without a clear reference point. For example, saying "He is more than average" is vague. Instead, specify what he exceeds the average of, such as "He is more than the average student in intelligence."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than average" functions primarily as a qualifier or modifier, indicating that something exceeds a typical or standard level. This is confirmed by Ludwig, which validates the phrase's usability. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its role in describing quantities, qualities, or performance metrics that are higher than the norm.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

10%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more than average" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something surpasses a typical or standard level. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English. It finds frequent application across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Wiki sources. While the phrase itself maintains a neutral register, it's crucial to specify the reference point to avoid vagueness. Alternative phrases include ""above average"" and ""better than average"", each with slight nuances. "More than average" serves as a valuable tool for providing context and relative magnitude in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

above average

Indicates a position or quantity higher than the norm, without explicitly mentioning 'average'.

better than average

Directly compares something favorably to the average, implying a higher quality or performance.

exceeding the average

More formal and emphasizes the act of surpassing the average.

greater than average

Focuses on a larger quantity or extent compared to the average.

higher than the norm

Replaces 'average' with 'norm', suggesting a general standard or expectation.

surpassing the mean

Uses 'mean' instead of 'average', often in a statistical context.

beyond the typical

Highlights the deviation from what is typical or usual.

outperforming the average

Specifically suggests exceeding expectations in terms of performance.

in excess of the average

A more formal way to indicate that something is beyond the average level.

over and above the average

Emphasizes a significant degree of exceeding the average.

FAQs

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

You can use "more than average" to describe something that exceeds the standard or typical level. For example, "The rainfall this year was "more than average"."

What's a good alternative to "more than average"?

Alternatives include "above average", "better than average", or "exceeding the average", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify what something is "more than average" of?

Yes, it is generally best practice to specify what you are comparing to. Saying something is simply "more than average" can be vague. Clarify with phrases like "more than the average height" or "more than the average cost".

What is the difference between "more than average" and "above average"?

While both phrases indicate exceeding a standard, ""above average"" often implies a higher ranking or quality, while ""more than average"" simply denotes exceeding a typical quantity or degree. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.