of the above

USAGE SUMMARY

"of the above" is correct, and can be used in written English.
For example, "Of the above options, I prefer the first one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many of the above?

The New York Times

None of the above?

The New York Times

Some of the above?

The New York Times - Sports

Answer: all of the above.

Independent

(e) All of the above.

The New Yorker

No, none of the above!

The New York Times

D. All of the above.

The New York Times

C. Both of the above.

The New York Times

A combination of the above?

Independent

"Sadly, none of the above.

The New York Times

But none of the above!

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "of the above" to clearly refer back to a list or set of options already presented in the text. Ensure the reference is unambiguous and the reader can easily identify what you are referring to.

Common error

Avoid using "of the above" if the items being referred to are not immediately clear or are too far back in the text. This can confuse the reader and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of the above" functions as a post-determiner or qualifier, specifying that something relates to elements previously mentioned or listed. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and common in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "of the above" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to refer back to previously mentioned items or information. As Ludwig's examples illustrate, it's versatile, appearing in news, science, and even wiki contexts. When using "of the above", ensure that the items you're referencing are clear to your audience to avoid confusion. Consider using more formal alternatives like "of the foregoing" in specific contexts where a higher degree of formality is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as noted above

This alternative specifically refers to information presented in an earlier part of the text.

from the above list

This alternative explicitly indicates that the reference is to a list.

of the foregoing

This alternative is more formal and often used in legal or official documents.

per the above

This alternative is a concise and slightly more formal way to say "according to the above".

in light of the above

This alternative introduces a conclusion or consideration based on the preceding information.

from what has been mentioned

This alternative is a more verbose way of referring to previously mentioned items.

referring to what was mentioned

This alternative is a descriptive way to indicate a reference to prior information.

mentioned earlier

This alternative is less formal and directly points to a previous mention.

as previously stated

This alternative emphasizes that something has been formally stated before.

based on the aforesaid

This alternative is very formal and typically used in legal or old-fashioned contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "of the above" in a sentence?

You can use "of the above" to refer to items or points previously mentioned in your text. For example, "Which "of the above" options do you prefer?"

What is a more formal alternative to "of the above"?

A more formal alternative to "of the above" is "of the foregoing", which is often used in legal or official contexts.

Is it okay to use "of the above" in academic writing?

Yes, "of the above" is acceptable in academic writing, as long as the reference is clear and unambiguous. However, ensure that the phrase aligns with the overall tone and style of your writing.

Can "of the above" be used to refer to items listed on a different page?

It's best to avoid using "of the above" to refer to items on a different page. Instead, provide a clear reference or citation to the specific list or section you are referring to.