not greater

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not greater" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing quantities, values, or measurements to indicate that one is equal to or less than another. Example: "The total cost should be not greater than $100 to stay within budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not greater wealth but greater equity that will make us all feel richer.

The New Yorker

Equal if not greater.

The New York Times - Sports

"Not greater than my daddy," she said.

The New Yorker

There is not greater music that can convey that".

The New York Times

But probably 80percentt, if not greater, is office, especially in New York.

The New York Times

Eighteen months on the challenge we face is as great, if not greater.

The Guardian

"I was actually a bit surprised that the effects were not greater".

The New Yorker

Why can't the elderly make fools of themselves with equal, if not greater, aplomb?

The New Yorker

Britain is not greater for this decision and this campaign but smaller, weaker and more vulnerable.

The Guardian - Opinion

The sum of their parts are not greater than their whole".

The New York Times - Sports

His long-term popularity was as great, if not greater, outside the UK.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not greater", ensure clarity in the context. It's particularly useful in technical writing or when specifying limits or constraints.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the scope of "not" is clear. For example, "the impact was not greater than expected" should clearly indicate what the expectation was, to avoid misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not greater" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to express that one quantity, value, or attribute is either equal to or less than another. Ludwig examples showcase its application in diverse contexts, from scientific measurements to subjective evaluations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0.01%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not greater" is a versatile comparative term used to indicate that one thing is equal to or less than another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various domains, including science, news, and formal writing. While "not greater" is acceptable in most contexts, alternatives like "less than or equal to" or "at most" may be more appropriate depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis. Remember to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity when using this phrase, especially in technical or scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no more than

Replaces "greater" with "more", changing the specific comparison.

less than or equal to

Provides a mathematically explicit alternative.

not exceeding

Emphasizes a limit or upper bound.

equal to or less than

Reorders the comparison for emphasis.

at most

Offers a more concise way to express an upper limit.

not bigger than

Uses a more informal term for size comparison.

not larger than

Similar to "not bigger than", but slightly more formal.

no bigger than

Informal rephrasing using "bigger".

does not surpass

More formal and emphasizes exceeding a limit.

is capped at

Focuses on an imposed maximum value.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "not greater" in a formal context?

In formal writing, you can replace "not greater" with phrases like "less than or equal to" or "no more than" for clarity and precision.

What's a simpler way to say "not greater"?

For simpler phrasing, use "at most" to indicate a maximum limit, or "no bigger than" in informal settings.

Is "not greater than" grammatically correct?

Yes, "not greater than" is grammatically correct and widely used. It functions as a comparison, indicating that a value is either equal to or less than another.

When should I use "not greater" instead of "less than or equal to"?

Use "not greater" when you want to emphasize the negation of being greater, whereas "less than or equal to" directly states the acceptable conditions. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and context.