something north of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "something north of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a quantity or value that is greater than a specified amount, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "The project will cost something north of $10,000."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"I'm looking for something north of 60 so we can move forward," Mr. Baucus said.

The New York Times

Mr. Khan's lawyer, Martin L. Schmukler, said the stylist pocketed only something "north of $200,000".

The New York Times - Style

Glyn Lawcock, an analyst with UBS, said that with a control premium, "you could see something north of 20 dollars".

The New York Times

So many names, so many numbers, and here is one more: last year, Steidl received something north of 2,000 unsolicited submissions.

The New York Times

Despite yesterday's optimism following weekly payroll figures, the non-farm numbers showed a jobs rise of just 18,000 compared to expectations of something north of 100,000.

The Guardian - Business

Mitt Romney If Mr. Romney wins Florida by a significant margin, something north of the high teens or low 20s, his map may essentially look like the best possible combination of his and Mr. McCain's 2008 maps.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The cost basis is probably something just north of $24 and some barrels of tea.

The New York Times - Sports

But everybody gets along, mostly in hope of witnessing something glorious north of the tracks or south of the tracks, connected by a wooden boardwalk with pedicabs shuttling fans back and forth.

The New York Times - Sports

Although I was advised not to try and find the Vulcanelli di Macalube unless I had a car, I could hardly believe that something only 50km north of Agrigento could possibly be so inaccessible.

The Guardian - Travel

But if the pollsters are right, something that will pass north of the 49th parallel for a revolution is indeed about to occur.

The Economist

They did a brief slow dance, with Usher's hand on her stomach, about half an inch north of something more serious than dancing.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "something north of" to provide an approximate value that is greater than a known figure. It's best suited for informal or conversational contexts where precision is not critical.

Common error

Avoid using "something north of" in highly formal or technical writing where precise figures are expected. Opt for more accurate terms like "greater than" or "in excess of" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something north of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun phrase, indicating a quantity or value that exceeds a given number. Ludwig examples show it is often used with monetary amounts or numerical figures, specifying a value greater than the one mentioned.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "something north of" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate an approximate quantity or value greater than a specified amount. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media contexts. While suitable for informal and neutral registers, it should be used cautiously in formal writing where precision is preferred. Alternatives include "more than" and "in excess of". Remember to use this phrase when providing an estimate rather than a precise figure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than

Directly expresses a larger quantity, degree, or extent.

over

Simple and common way of saying "more than" in terms of amount or quantity.

a little over

Indicates a slightly higher quantity, with a focus on a small excess.

slightly above

Suggests being a bit more than a specific value or point, emphasizing the slight margin.

greater than

More formal and precise way to indicate a larger quantity or value.

in excess of

Formal way of saying "more than", focusing on surpassing a stated limit.

upwards of

Indicates an amount that is at least a specified value, possibly more.

beyond

Highlights the action of going past a certain level, value, or geographical area.

at least

Indicates the minimum acceptable or expected amount.

northward of

This suggests something to the north of an area.

FAQs

How can I use "something north of" in a sentence?

You can use "something north of" to indicate an approximate amount that is greater than a specific number. For example, "The project will require something north of $50,000."

What phrases are similar to "something north of"?

Similar phrases include "more than", "over", "in excess of", and "greater than".

Is "something north of" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "something north of" is generally more suitable for informal contexts. Formal writing may benefit from more precise terms like "exceeding" or "at least".

What does "something north of" imply about the exact amount?

It implies that the exact amount is not precisely known or is not necessary to specify, but it is certainly higher than the stated figure. This contrasts with providing an exact value or a precise range.