a lot lower

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lot lower" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a significantly lower quantity or amount than what was previously mentioned. For example, "The temperatures have gone down a lot lower than they were last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Prices elsewhere are a lot lower.

Independent

Q Are rents a lot lower, too?

The New York Times

They are a lot lower now.

The Economist

It could have been a lot lower.

The New York Times - Sports

But the stakes were a lot lower.

The New York Times - Arts

These scores are probably going to be a lot lower.

The New York Times

And the average of those ratios is a lot lower than 15.

The New York Times

It should be noted that standards are a lot lower for rap movies.

The New York Times

"The chance of default of that type of company is probably a lot lower".

The New York Times

The barrier to the outtake is a lot lower to a post on Vine.

The New Yorker

The pay is a lot lower, he said, but the job security is hard to beat.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a lot lower" to clearly indicate a significant decrease or reduction when comparing two values or situations. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using multiple intensifiers with "lower", such as "much a lot lower", as it can sound redundant. Stick to "a lot lower" or choose a single, stronger adjective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lot lower" functions as a degree modifier, intensifying the adjective "lower." It specifies that something is significantly reduced in quantity, amount, or level. Ludwig examples show its wide applicability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a lot lower" is a grammatically correct and very common way to express a significant decrease or reduction. According to Ludwig, it functions as a degree modifier, intensifying the adjective "lower" to emphasize a substantial difference. It's suitable for various contexts, including news, business, and everyday conversations. While versatile, it's important to avoid redundancy by not overusing intensifiers. Related phrases like "significantly reduced" or "considerably diminished" can be used for variety. The examples gathered by Ludwig illustrate its wide usage across authoritative sources, confirming its acceptability and relevance in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much reduced

Uses a simpler structure while retaining the core meaning.

far smaller

Highlights a greater difference compared to the original.

significantly reduced

Emphasizes the magnitude of the reduction more explicitly.

considerably less

Shifts the focus to 'less' to achieve a similar comparative effect.

considerably diminished

Highlights the notable decrease in quantity or amount.

substantially decreased

Focuses on the important reduction that has occurred.

markedly lessened

Stresses the noticeable change to a smaller degree.

substantially fewer

Highlights a notable reduction in numerical quantity.

noticeably reduced

Highlights the fact that reduction is easily observed.

appreciably smaller

Focuses on the positive impact of the reduction.

FAQs

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

You can use "a lot lower" to describe a significant decrease in quantity, price, or any measurable value. For example: "The cost of living here is "a lot lower" than in New York City".

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

Alternatives include "significantly reduced", "considerably diminished", or "substantially decreased". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "much a lot lower"?

While "a lot lower" is acceptable, "much a lot lower" is generally considered redundant. Stick to "a lot lower" or use a stronger single intensifier like "significantly lower".

What's the difference between "a lot lower" and "a little lower"?

"A lot lower" indicates a substantial difference, while "a little lower" suggests only a minor decrease. The choice depends on the magnitude of the difference you want to emphasize. You could also use alternatives such as "slightly lower".