通常在比较两个数字时使用“greater”，而在比较两个百分比或比率时使用“higher”；“smaller or fewer”可用于比较两个数字，“lower”可用于比较两个百分比或比率。如下对比会让你更清晰：

副词或形容词搭配：

» Overwhelmingly, Substantially, Significantly. Considerably.
» Moderately, Markedly.
» Hardly, Barely, Slightly, Fractionally, Marginally.

示例:

1. The number of male doctors in this city was greater than the number of female doctors. 
2. The number of European programmers who attended the seminar was fewer than the number of Asian programmers.
3. The percentage of male doctors in this city was higher than the percentage of female doctors.
4. During 2010, the inflow of illegal immigrants was lower than that of 2012.
5. the birth rate in Japan in 2014 was higher than the birth rate in 2015.