never greater than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "never greater than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a limit or maximum value that should not be exceeded in various contexts, such as mathematics, statistics, or general comparisons. Example: "The total number of participants in the study will be never greater than 100."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But his anger was never greater than his patience or forgiveness.

The Guardian - Opinion

The workers' victories are never greater than their struggles, but all Baida's characters know that.

The New York Times - Books

The parts are individually distinctive here, but never greater than the whole.

The New York Times - Arts

The blue lines show that when the average quantities are used, the sum is never greater than 1.

Nature

The difference between the imposed and the theoretical waveforms was never greater than 0.85 × 10−2 °C in mean value, as measured with the infrared (IR) system.

Medical Engineering & Physics

So, we only need to worry about these effects when (v/c) squared is comparable to (but never greater than) 1.

Cornell University

Chirac's wife, Bernadette Chirac, who said she was speaking for her husband, said: "France is never greater than when it engages with other cultures, other people.

The Guardian

Star quality sharpens the appetite for Royal Ascot and anticipation for a wonderful week's racing was never greater than for the two glorious years when Frankel ran.

The Guardian - Sport

She was viewed as a brilliant military strategist and diplomat, and her popularity was never greater than in the years immediately after that brief December war.

Britannica

Actual evapotranspiration is never greater than precipitation except on irrigated land because of percolation of water into groundwater bodies and surface runoff.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Gaudette was never greater than in the closing minutes, making save after save, including one in the 84th minute in which he turned away Maryland forward Abe Thompson with a diving stop on the goal line.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "never greater than" in scientific or technical writing, ensure that the units of measurement are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example: "The temperature increase was never greater than 2 degrees Celsius."

Common error

Avoid using "never greater than" interchangeably with "not greater than" in contexts where a value can potentially be equal to the limit. "Never greater than" strictly implies that the value is always less than the specified limit, while "not greater than" allows for the value to be equal to the limit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "never greater than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase used to establish an upper limit or boundary. It indicates that a certain value or quantity does not exceed a specified threshold. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various scientific, technical, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

26%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "never greater than" is a versatile phrase used to establish an upper limit. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically sound and commonly employed across diverse fields, particularly in science and media. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure clarity by specifying units of measurement and context, preventing misinterpretations. Alternatives like "no more than" or "at most" offer more concise options, while understanding the subtle differences between "never greater than" and "always less than" can help refine your writing. Be mindful of the level of precision and formality required by the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no more than

Emphasizes a maximum limit that is not exceeded.

at most

Indicates the highest possible quantity or degree.

not exceeding

Highlights the act of staying within a defined boundary or limit.

does not surpass

Formal way of expressing that something does not exceed a certain level.

not superior to

Focuses on a comparison where one thing is not better or higher than another.

capped at

Suggests an imposed upper limit that cannot be surpassed.

limited to

Highlights that something is restricted to a specific amount or extent.

not beyond

Indicates that something does not go past a particular point or value.

does not exceed

A formal and direct way of stating that something does not go over a specific limit.

remains below

Focuses on maintaining a level that is consistently lower than a certain value.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "never greater than" to sound more concise?

You can use phrases like "at most", "no more than", or "not exceeding" to convey a similar meaning with fewer words.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "never greater than"?

"Never greater than" is appropriate in contexts where you want to emphasize that a value consistently remains below a certain limit, such as in scientific measurements, statistical analysis, or setting boundaries.

Is there a difference between "never greater than" and "always less than"?

While similar, "never greater than" emphasizes that a value does not exceed a limit at any point, whereas "always less than" highlights the continuous state of being below that limit. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the absence of exceeding or the continuous state of being below.

How to avoid ambiguity when using "never greater than" in technical writing?

Clearly define the units of measurement and the context in which the comparison is being made. For example, specify "The error rate was never greater than 5%" rather than simply stating "The error rate was never greater than 5".