well above

USAGE SUMMARY

"well above" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe something (usually a number) that is much higher than something else. For example: She scored well above the average in the exam.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Well above average.

The New Yorker

That is well ABOVE the tight Margin!

The New York Times

Their three-year performances are all well above average.

The New York Times

That is well above normal.

The New York Times

That is also well above prerecession levels.

The New York Times

Orders for fall were well above projections.

The New York Times

Interest rates are already well above 40%.

The Economist

He hits well above.300 every season.

The New York Times - Sports

Both ratings remain well above junk status.

The New York Times

But one stands well above the rest.

The New York Times - Sports

The number was well above expectations.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "well above" to emphasize a significant difference or degree, strengthening your statement. Consider the impact you aim to achieve with your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "well above" when the difference is negligible or insignificant. This can lead to misinterpretation and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well above" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the degree to which something exceeds a given level or standard. This is supported by Ludwig and its analysis indicating that it is used to describe something that is much higher than something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "well above" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates a significant degree of exceeding a given level or standard. As Ludwig AI highlights, its primary function is to emphasize a notable difference or superior quality, making it suitable for use in diverse contexts ranging from news reporting to formal business communications. While the phrase exhibits a neutral register, it is crucial to ensure clarity in defining the reference point being exceeded. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively leverage "well above" to strengthen their statements and convey meaningful comparisons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly higher than

Emphasizes the magnitude of the difference compared to the reference point.

considerably greater than

Focuses on the extent or degree by which something exceeds a certain level.

substantially exceeding

Highlights the act of surpassing a specific limit or expectation by a large margin.

far surpassing

Stresses that the entity is much better than an expected metric.

markedly surpassing

Emphasizes a difference that is easy to notice.

comfortably over

Indicates a level achieved with ease and security.

noticeably above

Highlights that the difference is readily observable.

distinctly higher

Focuses on the clarity and unambiguity of the superiority.

appreciably greater

Suggests a difference that is large enough to be important or meaningful.

easily exceeding

Implies that the limit was surpassed with little to no effort.

FAQs

How can I use "well above" in a sentence?

Use "well above" to indicate that something is significantly higher or greater than a specific reference point. For example, "The company's profits were well above projections."

What are some alternatives to using "well above"?

You can use alternatives like "significantly higher than", "considerably greater than", or "substantially exceeding" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "above" and "well above"?

"Above" simply indicates a higher position or level. "Well above" implies a significantly or noticeably higher position or level, emphasizing a greater degree of difference.

When is it appropriate to use "well above" in formal writing?

It is appropriate to use "well above" in formal writing when you want to clearly emphasize that something substantially exceeds a particular standard or expectation. Make sure that what you are comparing the subject to is clear.