the higher of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the higher of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to the highest value among a set of numbers, amounts, or members of a group. For example, "The award was given to the higher of the two competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Each offer is based on the higher of two independent appraisals.

The New York Times

The higher of the two tiers of the church will be just below a small parking lot behind the building.

The New York Times

(Systolic pressure, as the article noted elsewhere, is the higher of the two readings, taken when the heart contracts).

The New York Times

East won with his ace and returned the club seven, the higher of two remaining cards, to declarer's king.

The New York Times

Only the higher of two doses provided a statistically significant improvement in lupus symptoms compared with a placebo.

The New York Times

He returned the heart eight, the higher of two remaining cards, to dummy's ace.

The New York Times

We were climbing Margherita, the higher of its two peaks; the other is Alexandra.

Independent

Bathurst (East) won with the king and returned his eight, the higher of two remaining cards.

The New York Times

The tectonic plates had been grating against each other for millenniums, and now the higher of the two was lifted perhaps 60 feet.

The New York Times

He could, in theory, choose the higher of three amounts: $350,000; or the illicit financial gain to her; or twice the loss by victims.

The New York Times

The reason is that the regular and alternative systems are not integrated, but they operate like parallel tax universes, and you pay the higher of the two.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing only two values, "the higher of" is clear and concise. For more than two values, consider using "the highest of" for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "the higher of" when not explicitly comparing two or more items. For instance, instead of saying "the higher quality", specify "the higher quality of the two options."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the higher of" functions as a prepositional phrase and a determiner. It introduces a choice between two or more options, indicating that the selection should be based on the greater value or magnitude. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the higher of" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate selecting the greater value or quantity between two options. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and business writing, it serves to establish a clear selection criterion based on comparative assessment. When using this phrase, ensure you are comparing two specific items; for more than two, "the highest of" may provide better clarity. Remember, the goal is to precisely convey that one option surpasses another in a defined attribute.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the greater of the two

Focuses on a more general comparison of magnitude or importance, while retaining the same structure.

whichever is greater

Changes the phrasing to be more explicit about the comparison process.

the larger of the options

Replaces "higher" with "larger", emphasizing size or quantity rather than position or value.

the maximum of

Uses a more technical term, "maximum", for the greatest value, suitable for mathematical or statistical contexts.

the more significant

Highlights importance or impact rather than size or numerical value.

the superior choice

Focuses on quality and preference instead of mere numerical value.

the better alternative

Emphasizes a preference for one option over another, based on unspecified criteria.

the best of both

Shifts the meaning to suggest taking the most desirable elements from two sources, rather than simply selecting the larger one.

the primary selection

Indicates the main or preferred choice, implying that other options exist but are less desirable.

the upper limit

Implies a boundary or restriction at the highest possible value.

FAQs

How do I use "the higher of" in a sentence?

Use "the higher of" to indicate the greater value or quantity between two or more options. For example, "The company will pay "the higher of" the two appraised values for the property."

What is a synonym for "the higher of"?

A synonym for "the higher of" is "the greater of". Both phrases indicate selecting the larger or more significant value from a set of options.

Is it correct to say "the higher of three"?

While grammatically acceptable, "the higher of three" is less clear than "the highest of three". Using "highest" is generally preferred when comparing more than two items.

What's the difference between "the higher of" and "the highest of"?

"The higher of" is typically used when comparing two items, while "the highest of" is used when comparing three or more items. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the number of items being compared.