Are you looking to enhance your vocabulary and express comparisons in a more diverse manner? In this guide, we’ll explore various formal and informal ways to say “more than.” Whether you’re writing an academic paper, having a casual conversation with friends, or engaging in a business discussion, having a repertoire of phrases and expressions will greatly enrich your language skills. We’ll provide tips, examples, and regional variations where applicable to help you master the art of expressing comparisons. So let’s dive in and discover the many ways to say “more than!”
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions:
When it comes to expressing comparisons formally, it’s important to utilize precise and sophisticated language. Below, we present some formal expressions you can use to convey the meaning of “more than” in an eloquent and professional manner:
1. Exceeding
One formal way to say “more than” is by using the term “exceeding.” This word denotes a level that surpasses a given quantity:
“The annual sales of our company are exceeding expectations.”
2. Surpassing
Another formal alternative is to use “surpassing,” which suggests a degree of excellence or superiority:
“The student’s performance in the test was surpassing that of his peers.”
3. Outstripping
If you wish to emphasize the notion of surpassing or going beyond, “outstripping” can be an effective term to employ:
“Our company’s growth is outstripping all competitors in the market.”
4. Exceeding Expectations
In formal settings, it’s common to refer to exceeding expectations as it highlights accomplishments:
“The quality of service provided by the hotel was exceptional, exceeding our expectations.”
5. Going above and beyond
To express “more than” in terms of exceeding a standard or requirement, you can utilize the popular phrase “going above and beyond”:
“The employee went above and beyond to meet the project’s deadlines.”
Informal Expressions:
In informal conversations or casual writing, there’s more room to be creative and play with language. Below are some informal expressions that will help you convey the meaning of “more than” in a relaxed and friendly manner:
1. Way more
The phrase “way more” is commonly used in informal contexts and adds emphasis to the comparison:
“That movie was way more exciting than I expected!”
2. A whole lot more
To express a significant difference or increase, you can use the expression “a whole lot more”:
“She earned a whole lot more money from her promotion.”
3. Loads/tons/much/far more
These alternatives provide a range of informal expressions to convey a clear sense of exceeding or surpassing a certain quantity:
“I have loads more work to do before I can relax.”
“He ate far more pizza than anyone else at the party.”
4. More than you can shake a stick at
This playful expression is used to convey an abundance of something, often in a humorous context:
“The store has more varieties of ice cream than you can shake a stick at!”
5. Over the top
When referring to something that is excessive, extravagant, or surpasses expectations, the phrase “over the top” is frequently used:
“The decorations at the party were way over the top!”
Regional Variations:
While formal and informal expressions are generally universal, some regions may have specific idiomatic phrases to convey the meaning of “more than.” Here are a few regional variations you might encounter:
1. British English
In British English, an alternative way to express “more than” is by using the phrase “up and above”:
“The company’s profits are up and above what we anticipated.”
2. Australian English
Australians have their own unique twist on expressing “more than.” They often use the word “heaps” to mean a large amount or exceeding expectations:
“She received heaps more likes on her post than usual!”
Closing Thoughts
Congratulations on expanding your vocabulary and familiarizing yourself with various expressions to say “more than.” Remember to adapt your language based on the formality of the context: use formal expressions for professional or academic settings, and opt for informal expressions in casual conversations or informal writing. By incorporating diverse phrases into your language repertoire, you’ll add depth and versatility to your communication skills. So go ahead and apply these tips and examples in your next conversation or writing endeavor!
