taller than

USAGE SUMMARY

"taller than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare two things or people to denote that one is taller than the other. Example: "The Empire State Building is taller than any other building in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Taller than the other kids, taller than the teachers.

The New York Times

Stood taller than Tiger.

The New York Times - Sports

She's taller than me.

The Guardian

He was slightly taller than me.

The New York Times

Lisette, taller than your mom, eh?

The New Yorker

They were all taller than their grandfather.

The New Yorker

are nearly always taller than residential bldgs.

The New Yorker

The driver cannot be taller than 5ft.

The New Yorker

Sara was tall, taller than Louise.

The New Yorker

He's taller than I am.

The Washington Post

Is she taller than me?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing heights, ensure that the units of measurement are consistent. Avoid comparing meters to feet without conversion.

Common error

Be clear about what you are comparing. Saying "This building is taller than Chicago" is illogical; clarify by stating, "This building is taller than any building in Chicago."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taller than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. Ludwig's examples show it comparing heights of people, buildings, and even abstract concepts like tales. It indicates that one subject possesses a greater vertical extent compared to another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "taller than" is a common and grammatically sound way to compare heights. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across diverse sources like news, academic papers, and general media. When using "taller than", ensure you are making logical comparisons and maintaining consistency in measurement units. While alternatives exist, such as "higher than" or "more elevated than", the choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of greater height than

A more formal and somewhat redundant way of saying "taller than".

exceeding in height

Focuses specifically on surpassing a certain level of height.

surpassing in height

Similar to 'exceeding in height' but implies a greater degree of difference.

more elevated than

Emphasizes a higher position or status rather than physical height; less common in everyday language.

towering over

Implies a significant height difference and a sense of dominance.

higher in stature than

More formal and emphasizes overall presence and importance, not just height.

outstripping in height

Suggests a rapid or significant increase in height relative to something else.

standing head and shoulders above

Idiomatic; implies significant superiority in a broader sense, not just height.

rising above

Suggests overcoming or exceeding a certain level or standard, not necessarily physical height.

longer than

Applicable when comparing length instead of height, may sometimes be used metaphorically.

FAQs

How is "taller than" used in a sentence?

"Taller than" is used to compare the height of two subjects, indicating that one is of greater height. For instance, "The Empire State Building is "taller than" any other building in the city."

What are some alternatives to "taller than"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "higher than", "more elevated than", or "exceeding in height" to express a similar comparison.

Which is correct, "taller than me" or "taller than I"?

Both can be correct depending on the intended meaning. "Taller than me" is generally accepted in informal contexts. "Taller than I" is grammatically correct in formal contexts, implying an omitted verb: "taller than I am".

What's the difference between "taller than" and "higher than"?

"Taller than" typically refers to physical height, especially of people or objects. "Higher than" can refer to physical elevation but can also describe abstract concepts like prices or scores.