above goals-against average
Comparing to a higher level
Use above with average to show a statistic is higher than the norm.
Their team is above goals-against average this year.
Goals-against average and prepositions
Goals-against average is usually discussed with comparison phrases such as above average or below average. The phrase of goals-against average is uncommon except in longer noun structures.
Quick answer
Which prepositions are natural with goals-against average?
Use above or below when comparing a player's goals-against average to a standard. On goals-against average can appear in sports commentary meaning based on that statistic. Of goals-against average is uncommon as a direct combination.
The goalie is below average in goals allowed.
She ranks first on goals-against average this season.
His numbers are above average for the league.
She ranks first on goals-against average this season.
His numbers are above average for the league.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
below goals-against average
Comparing to a lower level
Use below with average to show a statistic is lower than the norm.
The rookie stayed below goals-against average all month.
on goals-against average
Ranking or judging by the statistic
Sports reporting sometimes uses on to mean according to a statistic.
The award was decided on goals-against average after the tie.
goals-against average of + number
Giving the exact statistic
Use of before a number or measurement value.
She finished with a goals-against average of 2.10.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
on goals-against average
They were tied on goals-against average.
based on or measured by that statistic
above goals-against average
The club stayed above goals-against average.
higher than the usual level
below goals-against average
He remained below goals-against average.
lower than the usual level
of goals-against average
The report included a discussion of goals-against average.
possible in a larger noun phrase, but not usually directly after average
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using of directly after average
Average is not normally followed by of plus the statistic name in this expression.
✕ Their goalie is average of goals-against average. ✓ Their goalie is above average in goals-against average.Confusing on with location
On goals-against average means according to the statistic, not physically on something.
✓ The teams were ranked on goals-against average.Leaving out the comparison word
Above and below usually work with average, not directly with the noun alone.
✕ He is above goals-against. ✓ He is above average in goals-against average.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The teams were tied ___ goals-against average.
2. Her record stayed ___ average all season.
3. He finished with a goals-against average ___ 1.98.
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Frequently asked questions
Is on goals-against average correct?
Yes. In sports reporting, it can mean according to that statistic.
Can I say above goals-against average?
Yes. It means higher than the normal level for that statistic.
Is of goals-against average common?
Not as a direct phrase. It usually appears inside a longer expression such as discussion of goals-against average.
Related preposition guides
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