the highest number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the highest number" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a number or amount that is greater than all other numbers in a set. For example, "The highest number of votes was 500."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's the highest number since 2007.

The New York Times

"It's the highest number we've seen.

The New York Times

Florida, Texas and North Carolina reported the highest number of deaths.

The New York Times

Portland has the highest number of microbreweries in the world.

The Guardian - Money

The highest number of successful prosecutions was 692 in 1981.

The Guardian

New York City had the highest number of deaths, 179.

The New York Times

This is the highest number in 10 years.

The Guardian

The pathological gamblers had the highest number of reported problems.

The New York Times - Health

The highest number occurred in 2010-2011 with 47 complaints.

The Guardian - Money

"They had, at that time, the highest number of combat hours and the highest number of casualties.

The Guardian - Film

These planes tend to accumulate the highest number of flights.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing datasets, use "the highest number" to clearly identify the maximum value within a specific category or timeframe. For example, "The highest number of sales occurred in Q4."

Common error

Avoid using "higher number" when you need to indicate the absolute maximum. "Higher number" implies a comparison between two values, while "the highest number" identifies the maximum value in a set.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the highest number" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It denotes the superlative degree of quantity, indicating the maximum value within a specific context. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the highest number" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase for indicating the maximum value in a given context. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various domains, from scientific research to news reporting, highlighting its versatility. While alternatives such as "the greatest number" or "the maximum number" exist, "the highest number" remains a clear and effective choice. Remember to use it when you specifically want to emphasize the absolute maximum, avoiding confusion with comparative terms like "higher number".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the greatest number

Replaces "highest" with "greatest", emphasizing magnitude.

the maximum number

Uses "maximum" for a more technical or definitive sense of upper limit.

the largest number

Substitutes "highest" with "largest", focusing on physical size or extent.

the peak number

Implies a point in time where the number is at its greatest.

the record number

Indicates that the number surpasses all previous counts.

the top number

Replaces "highest" with "top", implying a ranking or hierarchy.

the uppermost number

Emphasizes the vertical position of the number in a sequence.

the supreme number

Uses "supreme" to highlight the number's unparalleled status.

the ultimate number

Suggests that the number represents the final or definitive value.

the unsurpassed number

Indicates that the number has not been exceeded or equaled.

FAQs

How can I use "the highest number" in a sentence?

Use "the highest number" to identify the greatest value in a data set or collection. For instance, "This year, we recorded "the highest number" of participants in the program."

What are some alternatives to "the highest number"?

Alternatives include "the greatest number", "the maximum number", or "the largest number", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "the highest number" and "a high number"?

"The highest number" refers to a specific maximum value, whereas "a high number" indicates a value that is generally large but not necessarily the greatest.

When is it appropriate to use "the highest number"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that a particular quantity or figure is greater than all others within a specified set or comparison.