significantly over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significantly over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a quantity or measurement exceeds a certain level by a considerable amount. Example: "The project's budget was significantly over the initial estimate, leading to concerns about financial management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

And income inequality widened significantly over these years.

The New York Times

(Russian output has grown significantly over the last three years).

The New York Times

The way we shop has changed significantly over the years.

The Guardian

The narrative did, however, change significantly over time.

The Guardian

Suicide rates have risen significantly over the past 50 years.

The New York Times

SOC increased significantly over time (P <.0001).

Archives of Psychiatric Nursing

Reynolds's earnings, meanwhile, have improved significantly over last year.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The ground capacity had been significantly over-calculated.

The Guardian - Sport

Conventionally, food is significantly over-processed to ensure safety.

Applied Thermal Engineering

The absolute values are either significantly over- or underestimated.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms

(Fever not significant) significantly over-represented.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "significantly over" to emphasize a substantial margin above a specific value or threshold. For example, "The budget was "significantly over" the initial estimate", which clearly conveys the project exceeded its financial boundaries by a considerable amount.

Common error

While "significantly over" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "way over" or "much higher" to maintain a natural tone. Using "significantly over" too often can make your writing sound stilted or overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significantly over" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating the degree to which something exceeds a particular limit or threshold. This is confirmed by Ludwig, which provides several examples from reliable sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

43%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "significantly over" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly in news, media, and scientific contexts. According to Ludwig, it serves to emphasize the magnitude by which something exceeds a specific value. While versatile, its use should be tailored to the appropriate register, favoring simpler alternatives in casual communication. By understanding its nuances and common pitfalls, writers can effectively leverage "significantly over" to convey precise and impactful information. Ludwig examples confirm that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably above

Replaces "significantly" with "considerably", emphasizing the degree of exceeding the limit.

well above

Uses "well" to indicate a clear and substantial margin above a certain level.

substantially beyond

Emphasizes that something is not just over but also 'beyond' a specific point to a high degree.

markedly in excess of

A more formal phrase that highlights a clear excess or surplus.

noticeably greater than

Focuses on the perceptible difference between values.

appreciably higher than

Highlights the extent to which something is higher, in a measurable way.

distinctly surpassing

Emphasizes a clear and unmistakable act of exceeding.

clearly exceeding

Highlights that something is surpassing a limit in an evident way.

considerably past

Focuses on the idea of an item or quantity moving 'past' a specified target.

substantially exceeding

Highlights that something goes beyond the expected value by a large amount.

FAQs

How can I use "significantly over" in a sentence?

You can use "significantly over" to indicate that a quantity or measurement exceeds a certain level by a considerable amount. For example, "The project's budget was "significantly over" the initial estimate".

What are some alternatives to "significantly over"?

Alternatives include "considerably above", "well above", or "substantially beyond", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "significantly over" or "well over"?

The choice between "significantly over" and "well over" depends on the desired level of formality. "Significantly over" is more formal, while "well over" is more informal.

How does "significantly over" compare to "slightly over" in terms of meaning?

"Significantly over" implies a large margin above a certain level, while "slightly over" suggests a small margin. They are antonyms regarding the extent of exceeding a limit.