Which one is correct?
"rates are higher" or "rates are even higher"?

Question

Which one is correct?
"rates are higher" or "rates are even higher"?

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This phrase is used to simply state that rates are elevated without specifying a comparison to previous rates. It is a straightforward way to convey that the rates have increased.

Examples:

The interest rates are higher this year compared to last year.
Crime rates in the city are higher than the national average.

Alternatives:

rates have increased
rates are elevated
rates are up
rates have gone up

This phrase is used when comparing rates that were high before to new, increased rates. It emphasizes the additional elevation in the rates.

Examples:

Last month, the interest rates were high, but now they are even higher.
The crime rates in the city were already high, and now they are even higher.

Alternatives:

rates are higher than before
rates have increased further
rates have risen even more
rates are at a new high

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. 'Rates are even higher' implies that the rates were already high and have increased further, while 'Rates are higher' simply states that the rates are elevated without comparison. The choice between the two depends on the context and the emphasis the speaker wants to convey.

Last Updated: March 12, 2024