taller

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'taller' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is the comparative form of the adjective 'tall' and is used to describe someone or something that has a greater height than another. Example: She stood next to her older brother, who was already 6 feet tall, and she felt proud to be taller than him at only 5 foot 10 inches.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Arts

Lifestyle

Education

Politics

Science

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When Arnaud Lagardère, one of France's most important press barons and aerospace bosses – and a man who calls himself a "brother" to the president – appeared in a kitsch video declaring his undying love for a Belgian swimwear model less than half his age and a foot taller, it wasn't just seen as a lapse of taste.

The Guardian

A really good suit makes you stand up straighter, walk taller.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Since One World Trade Center reached its full height, when its 408ft steel spire was installed on 10 May, there has been a growing lobby that argued that the Willis Tower, formerly the Sears Tower, was actually taller.

The Guardian - Arts

It's as though once everyone around you is the same height, you can embrace your inner small person, without any need to pretend you're three inches taller than you are.

The Guardian - Travel

"Billionaires' Row" is rising over midtown Manhattan, a collection of glassy new pinnacles that promise the kind of condo views you can get in New York only by building taller than everything else around.

The Guardian

"And a lot of the buildings that are going in are over 40ft (12m)." Since 1984, San Francisco has had a "sunlight ordinance" that requires the parks commission to review any proposed building taller than 40ft that might shadow public parks.

The Guardian

One was so much taller, the other looked so much healthier, the other looked so much more cheerful.

The Guardian

He is about five inches taller than Tyson, yet he would have a similar height advantage if he were being set upon by a tiger.

The Guardian - Sport

It was lovely and there was a real sense of people walking a couple of inches taller.

The Guardian

In Billionaires' Row the developers merged multiple building lots, or purchased the "air rights" above adjacent properties to legally build taller than what would historically be allowed.

The Guardian

The new hotel tower, designed by Pritzker prizewinner Thom Mayne's practice, Morphosis, will shoot up 381m into the clouds (almost a third taller than the Shard), a looming spectre visible for miles around the tiny alpine village.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing heights, ensure both subjects are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of just saying "This building is taller", specify "This building is taller than the one across the street."

Common error

Avoid using "taller" without specifying what is being compared. Saying "He is taller" is incomplete; clarify by stating "He is taller than his brother" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "taller" functions as a comparative adjective. It's used to describe something that has a greater height than something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is standard and widely accepted. It directly modifies nouns in comparative statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "taller" is a comparative adjective used to indicate that one thing has greater height than another. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical standing. It is very common across various contexts, most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When using "taller", ensure that there is a clear point of comparison to avoid ambiguity, for example, always indicate taller than something else. While grammatically straightforward, clarity in its application is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of greater height

Uses more formal language to describe a greater vertical dimension.

exceeding in height

Formally indicates surpassing a certain height.

of superior height

Highlights the advantage of being higher.

more elevated

Focuses on the elevation aspect rather than just physical height.

higher in stature

Emphasizes the comparative status or rank implied by height.

with increased altitude

Emphasizes the increased vertical distance.

more towering

Suggests a more imposing or dominant height.

growing taller

Focuses on the process of increasing in height.

standing taller

Implies a sense of pride or accomplishment alongside height.

more upright

Highlights the vertical position or posture.

FAQs

How to use "taller" in a sentence?

Use "taller" to compare the height of two objects or people, for example, "The new building is "taller" than the old one."

What can I say instead of "taller"?

You can use alternatives like "higher", "more elevated", or "of greater height" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "taller than" or "taller that"?

"Taller than" is the correct comparative form. "That" is not used in height comparisons; use "than" to indicate the comparison.

What's the difference between "taller" and "highest"?

"Taller" compares two things, while "highest" indicates the superlative, meaning the greatest height among three or more things.