record high

Question

Oil prices are hoving around 150 dollars a barrel after reaching that record high two weeks ago.Is the above correct?Thanks.

Optilang · Accepted Answer

New2grammarOil prices are hoving around 150 dollars a barrel after reaching that record high two weeks ago.

Is the above correct?
Thanks.

Oil prices are hovering around (the) 150 dollars a barrel (mark) after reaching that record high two weeks ago. - It is not clear to me what the record high price was.

I would change it to - after reaching their record high (of ***) two weeks ago.

New2grammar · Answer

I didn't want to repeat 150 which is why I used that. How to correct the sentence?

Optilang · Answer

Oil prices are hovering around the 150 dollars a barrel record high of/set/reached two weeks ago.

However, I don't really like hovering around, as this implies to me that the price is moving above and below the record high. If it moves above, then a new record high would be set.

I would prefer - Oil prices are hovering just below the 150 dollars a barrel record high of/set/reached two weeks ago.

New2grammar · Answer

optilangHowever, I don't really like hovering around, as this implies to me that the price is moving above and below the record high. If it moves above, then a new record high would be set.

You are right. But I want to say that it reached a level that has never been seen before and hovers around that level. How do I say it without raising an eyebrow?

Optilang · Answer

New2grammar
optilangHowever, I don't really like hovering around, as this implies to me that the price is moving above and below the record high. If it moves above, then a new record high would be set.

You are right. But I want to say that it reached a level that has never been seen before and hovers around that level. How do I say it without raising an eyebrow?

I see two possibilities:

1. Oil prices are hovering just below the 150 dollars a barrel record high of/set/reached two weeks ago.

2. Oil prices are pushing the 150 dollars a barrel record high of/set/reached two weeks ago.

The second sentence implies that there is a chance that a new high may be set.

New2grammar · Answer

The price of oil reached a record high two weeks ago at 150 dollar a barrel. It has been hovering at that level since.

I think you would agree that breaking into the two sentences above makes it understandable and inambiguous.

I guess when combining them, the existance of record high together with hovering makes the sentence illogical. To make it logical, some level of modification is required like what you suggested. I guess your second suggestion is what I want. Let me give it another try if you don't mind.

The price of oil has been hovering around 150 dollars a barrel, a new high two weeks ago.

I don't mindif a new record has been set since two weeks ago. In fact, I want that meaning which is why I chose hovering. My point is to highlight that critical mark without violating grammar rules or naturalness.

Optilang · Answer

This doesn't work for me

The price of oil has been hovering around 150 dollars a barrel, a new high two weeks ago.

A new high two weeks ago - doesn't fit with the sentence.

For me, the problem is not hovering, but hovering around, because of the reason discussed earlier.

We need to establish if the record high of two weeks ago is still the record high. It doesn't really make sense to talk about a record high in the past if that record has since been broken.

The price of oil has been hovering around 150 dollars a barrel, the high of two weeks ago.

New2grammar · Answer

Either my brain is not working today (very probably as I don't feel quite well) or something else is not right.

optilangIt doesn't really make sense to talk about a record high in the past if that record has since been broken.

So, we agree that it's not a grammar issue. It's about naturalness, something that native speakers wouldn't say.

However, it seems like you're sort of contradicting yourself in a sense.

optilangThe price of oil has been hovering around 150 dollars a barrel, the high of two weeks ago.

Is this sentence talking about a record high in the past that is likely to have been broken? hovering around is likely to say the pricehas been fluctuating around the 150 mark.

Optilang · Answer

The high of two weeks ago is not necessarily the record high to date, it is simply the high of two weeks ago.

01.06.2008 Record high - 149
08.06.2008 High (of the week)148
15.06.2008 New record high 150
22.06.2008 High (of the week) 149
29.06.2008 New record high 151.

There can only be one record high. If this level is passed then there is a new record high.

Oil prices are hovering around their high of two weeks ago (they are going just above and below 149)

Oil prices are hovering just below/pushing their record high set last week. (If today's date is 07.07.2008)

New2grammar · Answer

I see your point now! That I can't say a record high in the past if there's a new record high. What should I call it instead? A high two weeks ago? How about an old record high? I'm so sorry. My brain isn't working at full capacity today.

For example, in 1950s, the price of oil hit 30, a record high at the time??

record high

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