upper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upper" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
It can be used to refer to something that is situated higher or above something else, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "The upper shelf is where we keep the rarely used items."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Inside the country, Fidesz has favoured the middle class, and especially the upper middle class, thereby building a core clientele of politically active supporters – while slashing benefits for the neediest (about a third of Hungarians live in poverty – don't be fooled by the glittering, EU-funded projects in the centre of Budapest).

The Guardian - Opinion

A proposed experiment to test a way to deliver particles into the upper atmosphere using a balloon and a one kilometre-long pipe was cancelled in 2012 after it was reported that two of the scientists involved had submitted patent applications that were similar to the techniques being proposed.

The Guardian

"I wanted to draw your attention to the rolling out of the oil-for-goods deal, which is on a very significant scale," Ryabkov told a briefing with members of the upper house of parliament on the talks with Iran.

The Guardian

Two anomalies have long existed in the upper echelons of golf.

The Guardian - Sport

The English upper class owned the language as surely as it owned the great estates.

The Guardian - Opinion

Located on the upper floors of the Time Place Tower, in the heart of Dubai Marina, one of the best things about this apartment is its spectacular cityscape views.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

And because the book-buying upper-middle class does not trust the entrenched positions of America's ideologues, they are looking for fresh thinking – which a foreigner like Piketty, whose positions are not those of any large American political faction, provides.

The Guardian - Money

Coulson, because of his links with the Murdoch empire and his tabloid experience, was given the benefit of the doubt, a privilege once reserved by the establishment for chaps of impeccably upper-class background.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the last election in 2010, Cameron – the first Tory leader since the 1960s to be educated at Eton college and Oxford University, an upper-class combination somewhat comparable to the Ivy League – successfully ousted Labour after 13 years of Blair and then Gordon Brown, but his 306 seats to Labour's 258 left him 20 short of an outright majority.

The Guardian

Nostalgia was bittersweet in Roddy Doyle's The Guts (Jonathan Cape), which caught up with the music-mad hero of The Commitments, weighed down by illness and middle age, while Elizabeth Jane Howard, now 90, added a final volume, All Change (Mantle), to her upper-class family saga the Cazalet chronicles – still comfort reading supreme.

The Guardian - Books

Republicans failed in their latest attempt to wield the threat of a partial government shutdown as a weapon of protest against Barack Obama's immigration policies on Monday, with Democrats and the White House increasingly confident they have the upper-hand in the showdown.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upper" to denote physical locations such as "upper deck" or "upper floor" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "upper" when you mean "uppercase" in the context of letters or text. "Uppercase" refers specifically to capital letters.

Linguistic Context

The term "upper" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a higher position, rank, or level. As shown in the examples from Ludwig, it is used to describe physical locations like the "upper deck" as well as abstract concepts such as "upper hand".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Travel

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Film

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "upper" is an adjective primarily used to denote a higher position, rank, or level. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts. While generally neutral in register, careful consideration should be given to its connotations, especially when referring to social classes. Remember to differentiate between "upper" and "uppercase", as the latter specifically relates to capital letters. Using related terms like ""higher"", ""superior"", or ""top"" can provide greater precision in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

higher

Indicates a greater vertical position or level.

uppermost

Signifies being in the highest position.

superior

Implies a higher quality, rank, or position.

top

Refers to the highest point or part of something.

elevated

Describes something raised or in a high position.

overlying

Describes something that lies directly on top of something else.

outer

Denotes a position that is further from the center.

exceeding

Expresses surpassing a limit or expectation.

leading

Suggests being ahead or in a position of control.

preceding

Refers to something coming before in time or order.

FAQs

How is the term "upper" typically used in a sentence?

The term "upper" is typically used as an adjective to describe something that is higher in position or rank. For example, "the "upper deck"" or "upper management".

What are some alternatives to the word "upper"?

Alternatives to "upper" include "higher", "superior", and "top", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "upper" versus "uppercase"?

"Upper" is used to indicate a higher position or level, while "uppercase" refers specifically to capital letters. Using them interchangeably is incorrect; ensure you use the term appropriate for the specific context.

What is the difference between "upper class" and "middle class"?

"Upper class" typically refers to the wealthiest and most privileged members of society, while "middle class" refers to those with a comfortable standard of living but less wealth and privilege than the "upper class".