a bit lower

USAGE SUMMARY

"a bit lower" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a slight decrease in the degree or amount of something. For example: "The temperature was a bit lower today than it was yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most flippers aim a bit lower.

The New York Times

In Texas, it's a bit lower.

The Washington Post

My father's head hung a bit lower.

The New Yorker

Normally it's a bit lower than that sometimes.

The Guardian - Sport

Notice that Sandy ranks a bit lower on this list.

The Washington Post

A bit lower and Barry might well have been beaten.

The Guardian - Sport

"I think it's a bit lower than that.

The Guardian

Actual sales, however, were quite a bit lower: 763 units.

Harvard Business Review

And the White House sinks a little a bit lower".

The New York Times

— a bit lower than the economy-wide average.

The New York Times

Paintings are hung a bit lower than usual.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bit lower" to indicate a minor reduction or inferiority, ensuring the context clearly establishes what is being compared. It's most effective when precision isn't critical, and a general sense of 'slightly less' is sufficient.

Common error

Avoid using "a bit lower" when the actual difference is significant. If the reduction or inferiority is substantial, opt for phrases like "much lower" or "significantly less" to accurately reflect the magnitude.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit lower" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, or as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating a slight degree of reduction or inferiority. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

22%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bit lower" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a slight reduction or inferiority, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically sound and frequently appears in news, science, and general writing. While generally neutral, it's advisable to choose more formal alternatives for academic or professional contexts where precision and formality are paramount. When using "a bit lower", ensure the degree of difference is accurately represented; if the reduction is substantial, opt for stronger phrases like "much lower".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly beneath

Indicates a position just below something, focusing on spatial or hierarchical arrangement.

marginally reduced

Highlights a small degree of decrease in quantity or intensity.

a tad less

Uses a more informal tone to express a small reduction.

somewhat inferior

Suggests a slight difference in quality or status, implying a lesser value.

fractionally decreased

Emphasizes a very small or precise decrease.

a shade under

Informal way of indicating a minimal decrease or lower value.

moderately diminished

Indicates a decrease that is neither drastic nor negligible.

not quite as high

Emphasizes the relative difference in height or value.

barely underneath

Similar to slightly beneath, but with more emphasis on proximity.

substantially declined

While implying a greater reduction than "a bit lower", it still conveys a downward shift.

FAQs

How can I use "a bit lower" in a sentence?

You can use "a bit lower" to describe a slight decrease in something, such as "The price is "a bit lower" than expected" or "The shelf should be placed "a bit lower" to be more accessible".

What are some alternatives to saying "a bit lower"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "slightly below", "marginally less", or "somewhat inferior".

Is it appropriate to use "a bit lower" in formal writing?

While "a bit lower" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "slightly reduced" or "moderately diminished" may be more suitable for academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "a bit lower" and "much lower"?

"A bit lower" indicates a small difference, while "much lower" suggests a significant or substantial difference. The choice depends on the degree of reduction you want to convey.