to a high standard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to a high standard" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically means that something has been done in a manner that is better than expected. For example, "The essay was written to a high standard and received an A+ grade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I hold myself to a high standard".

The New York Times

"I hold public officials to a high standard," he said.

The New York Times

"Commercial drivers are held to a high standard," he said.

The New York Times

But he can work to a high standard all day.

The Guardian - Music

"I'm looking for students who are working to a high standard.

The Guardian

Defra said the culls were "carried out to a high standard of public safety".

The Guardian

One is making sure the articles are "done to a high standard," he told me Thursday.

The New York Times

And on that score, we will be held to a high standard, indeed.

The New York Times

Some bear text slogans and patterns, but they're roomy and finished to a high standard.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

These are, admittedly, quibbles that hold Bouley to a high standard.

The New York Times - Food

Like many of Mozilla's longtime supporters, I hold it to a high standard.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to a high standard" when you want to emphasize that something was done with exceptional quality, precision, or care. For example, "The project was completed "to a high standard", exceeding all expectations."

Common error

Avoid using "to a high standard" when describing purely subjective opinions or preferences. This phrase implies an objective, measurable level of quality, so it's not suitable for statements like "He found the movie "to a high standard" (instead, use 'He really enjoyed the movie').

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to a high standard" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase indicates that something is done with exceptional quality and skill.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Huffington Post

9%

BBC

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to a high standard" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to denote exceptional quality and skill in how something is performed or executed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, from news and media to formal business and scientific publications. Our analysis reveals that the phrase is most frequently found in "News & Media" sources (46%), followed by "Formal & Business" (15%) and "Science" (12%). For alternative phrasing, consider options like "to an elevated standard", "to a superior standard", or "to a rigorous standard", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with objective and measurable qualities rather than subjective opinions to maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to an elevated standard

Replaces "high" with "elevated", suggesting a similar level of quality but with a more formal tone.

to a superior standard

Substitutes "high" with "superior", emphasizing the excellence of the standard being achieved.

to a rigorous standard

Replaces "high" with "rigorous", focusing on the strictness and thoroughness of the standard.

to a exacting standard

Implies a very precise and demanding level of quality.

to a first-rate standard

Uses a more descriptive adjective phrase to convey the high level of quality.

to an excellent level

Changes "standard" to "level" and "high" to "excellent", offering a slightly different phrasing.

to a commendable level

Emphasizes the praiseworthiness of achieving the high standard.

with great skill

Shifts the focus to the skill involved in meeting the standard, rather than the standard itself.

with remarkable proficiency

Highlights the expertise and competence displayed.

at peak performance

Focuses on the achievement of top-tier performance.

FAQs

How can I use "to a high standard" in a sentence?

You can use "to a high standard" to describe work, performance, or quality that is exceptionally good. For example, "The team consistently performs "to a high standard"" or "The craftsmanship was completed "to a high standard"".

What are some alternatives to saying "to a high standard"?

Alternatives include phrases like "to an elevated standard", "to a superior standard", or "to a rigorous standard", which all convey a similar meaning of exceptional quality.

Is it correct to say something is 'of a high standard' or 'to a high standard'?

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "Of a high standard" describes the inherent quality of something, while "to a high standard" describes the manner in which something was done or performed.

Which is more appropriate, 'maintaining a high standard' or 'maintaining to a high standard'?

"Maintaining a high standard" is generally more appropriate. "Maintaining "to a high standard"" isn't typically used. 'Maintaining a high standard' focuses on upholding an elevated level of quality.