Alex, you are above John, some levels

[sb70012]

Hello,

Suppose that I am a teacher. I have many students. One of my students' name is Alex and the other one is John.
I am talking to them.
I want to say "Alex you are smarter than John in the class"

This is my main question: please have look at this below sentence and let me know if it works.

"Alex, you are above John, some levels" = Can it be correct?

Thank you.

 

[5jj]

If you were a teacher, you would be unlikely to tell one that he was smarter than the other, particularly if the other were present..

"Alex, you are above John, some levels" is not natural.

 

[sb70012]

If you were a teacher, you would be unlikely to tell one that he was smarter than the other, particularly if the other were present..

"Alex, you are above John, some levels" is not natural.

I know it's bad to say such a sentence in front of many students, I just wanted to make sure whether it's correct or not.
Is there any better way to say a sentence like that?

I mean:

Alex is over John, some levels
Alex is above John some levels
Alex is ahead of john some levels

I don't know how to say it. I wish one will guide me on them.

Thank you very much.

 

[5jj]

I know it's bad to say such a sentence in front of many students, I just wanted to make sure whether it's correct or

I find it very strange that you should wish to learn the correct way of saying something that would not be said.

If one teacher is talking to another about the progress of two pupils, s/he might say:

Alex is X ahead of John.

The X may represent many things, for example: two years, three grades, one level, ten units, two belts, some way, etc.

 

[sb70012]

I find it very strange that you should wish to learn the correct way of saying something that would not be said.

If one teacher is talking to another about the progress of two pupils, s/he might say:

Alex is X ahead of John.

The X may represent many things, for example: two years, three grades, one level, ten units, two belts, some way, etc.

Very useful.

 

[sb70012]

Now does this work? "Alex is some levels ahead of John"

 

[5jj]

Yes, so long as both people know what is meant by 'levels'.

 

[sb70012]

Yes, so long as both people know what is meant by 'levels'.

Thank you 5JJ. This is my last question: Can I also write "levels" with a singular form? I mean "Alex is some level ahead of John"

 

[5jj]

No

 

[Rover_KE]

Very useful.

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