which is higher

USAGE SUMMARY

"which is higher" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are comparing two items to each other, to ask which one is higher. For example: "Which mountain is higher - Everest or Kilimanjaro?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which is higher quality?

The Guardian

It was, instead, true to form, which is higher praise.

The New York Times - Arts

Which is higher than the average for all subjects, 8.8%.

The Guardian

"The problem you have there is turnover, which is higher than Jacksonville," Mr. Bridy said.

The New York Times

"Which may, ironically, give the academy what it wants, which is higher ratings," Mr. Weinstein said.

The New York Times

His strike rate in this series is 70.55, which is higher than any other batsman.

The Guardian - Sport

Turnout in Britain is 42%, which is higher than many expected.

The Guardian

The top rate is already 45p - which is higher than it was during the Labour years.

The Guardian

Determine which is higher, and you get some sense of how optimistic people are.

The New York Times

Their salaries range to $97 ,500 which is higher than any Government employe except President Nixon.

The New York Times

In fact they digest more than 90%, which is higher than for some meats.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be specific about what aspect you are comparing. Instead of just asking "Which is higher?", clarify with "Which value is higher?" or "Which score is higher?".

Common error

Avoid using "which is higher" without specifying the context. For example, don't say "This price is higher," instead say "This price is higher than the competitor's price."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is higher" functions as an interrogative comparative, prompting a selection between two or more options based on their relative height, value, or rank. Ludwig's examples showcase its usage across various domains, seeking to identify the superior or elevated option.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which is higher" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for making comparisons. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is applicable in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business domains. It is important to provide context when using this phrase to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases offer alternative ways to express similar comparative relationships. The phrase is deemed neutral in register and serves the purpose of eliciting information to determine the greater value or position between items.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is greater

Replaces "which" with "what" and uses "greater" instead of "higher", focusing on magnitude rather than vertical position.

what is the higher one

Adds "one" to explicitly refer to a single item from a set, creating a more formal tone.

what's the difference in altitude

Specifies altitude, directly asking about the vertical distance between two points.

which ranks above

Uses "ranks above" to indicate a higher position in a hierarchical structure.

which surpasses the other

Implies exceeding or outdoing the other item in a given metric.

what exceeds the other

Similar to 'surpasses', but focusing on exceeding a specific quantity or quality.

what is the elevated option

Uses "elevated" to suggest a higher or more distinguished choice.

which takes precedence

Focuses on the item that is more important or has a higher priority.

which option is elevated

Similar to the previous one, but framed as a question about a specific option.

what has the advantage

Highlights which item possesses a superior position or benefit.

FAQs

How do I use "which is higher" in a sentence?

Use "which is higher" when you want to compare two or more things and determine which one has a greater value or position. For example, "Which is higher, the mountain or the building?"

What can I say instead of "which is higher"?

You can use alternatives like "what is greater", "which ranks above", or "which surpasses the other" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "which is higher than"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "which is higher than" is used to compare one thing to another and determine which has a greater value or position. For example, "The mountain's altitude, "which is higher than" any other in the region, attracts many climbers."

What's the difference between "which is higher" and "what is higher"?

While both phrases can be used to compare, "which is higher" is typically used when you have a defined set of options, whereas "what is higher" is used more generally when the options are not explicitly stated or known.