somewhat more than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat more than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a quantity or degree that exceeds a certain amount, but not by a large margin. Example: "The project will take somewhat more than three weeks to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That course would change, somewhat, more than 20 years later.

The New York Times - Arts

Somewhat more than half of us will turn up.

The New Yorker

So far, the Palm has attracted somewhat more than 100,000 wireless customers.

The New York Times

In fact, several former employees said, Panacom was only somewhat more than a shell.

The New York Times

It now looks as if somewhat more than half that number will be available.

The New York Times

It cost about $4.5 million, somewhat more than a conventional television film.

The New York Times - Arts

Each post required somewhat more than two bags of mix, or 15 bags total.

The New York Times

Which is, no matter which way you slice it, somewhat more than chillwave manages.

The Guardian - Music

Lower imports accounted for somewhat more than half the December improvement.

The New York Times

The turbojet-powered British Sea Eagle weighed somewhat more than the Harpoon and employed active radar homing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the Human Genome Project showed that there are somewhat more than 20,000 protein-coding genes.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "somewhat more than", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being compared. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat more than" when the difference is actually substantial. This phrase implies a moderate or slight excess, so using it for significant differences can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat more than" functions as a comparative quantifier, modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate a quantity or degree that is slightly greater than a specified amount. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

12%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "somewhat more than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative quantifier that signifies a modest degree of excess. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for conveying moderate differences across a wide range of contexts, from News & Media and Science to Academia and Business. The phrase is considered neutral in tone, and is found across authoritative sources such as The New York Times and Forbes. Be mindful not to use "somewhat more than" when the difference is actually substantial; otherwise, it is a versatile tool for expressing slight excesses or estimates.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly greater than

Indicates a marginal difference in quantity.

a little over

Informal way to suggest a small excess.

marginally above

Highlights a slight exceeding of a particular threshold.

somewhat exceeding

Emphasizes the action of going beyond a certain point to a limited degree.

modestly surpassing

Suggests a limited but noticeable degree of increase.

fractionally larger than

Implies a very small difference in size.

just a bit more than

Similar in meaning, but more casual in tone.

a shade above

Indicates that the value is just negligibly above the reference.

relatively greater than

Expresses that there is a comparison and the initial value is somewhat more.

notably more than

Highlights the distinction between the two in the comparison.

FAQs

How can I use "somewhat more than" in a sentence?

Use "somewhat more than" to indicate a quantity or degree that exceeds a certain amount by a small margin. For example: "The project will take "somewhat more than" three weeks to complete."

What are some alternatives to "somewhat more than"?

You can use alternatives such as "slightly greater than", "a little over", or "marginally above" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a bit more than" instead of "somewhat more than"?

Yes, "a bit more than" is a correct and more informal alternative to ""somewhat more than"". Both indicate a slight excess.

What's the difference between "somewhat more than" and "significantly more than"?

"Somewhat more than" indicates a small difference, while "significantly more than" indicates a large and important difference. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the difference you are describing.