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

Question

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

TextRanch: The best way to perfect your writing.

Discover why 1,062,726 users count on TextRanch to get their English corrected!

One of our experts will correct your English.

100% Human-Powered Editing!

This phrase is used to compare rates to another point of reference without specifying what they are higher than.

Examples:

Interest rates are higher this year compared to last year.
The crime rates are higher in urban areas.
The exchange rates are higher in Europe.
The mortality rates are higher in certain regions.
The tax rates are higher for high-income earners.

Alternatives:

Rates are elevated
Rates are increased
Rates are above average
Rates are on the rise
Rates are climbing

This phrase is used when comparing rates to a specific entity or group, in this case, 'us'.

Examples:

The interest rates are even higher than us bankers expected.
The crime rates are even higher than us residents thought.
The exchange rates are even higher than us tourists anticipated.
The mortality rates are even higher than us doctors predicted.
The tax rates are even higher than us taxpayers imagined.

Alternatives:

Rates are higher than we expected
Rates are higher than we thought
Rates are higher than we anticipated
Rates are higher than we predicted
Rates are higher than we imagined

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Rates are higher' is a general statement comparing rates to something else without specifying what they are higher than. 'Rates are even higher than us' is a more specific statement indicating that the rates are higher than a particular reference point, 'us'.

Last Updated: March 12, 2024