a low one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a low one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is of low quality, low value, or low height, depending on the context. Example: "The score on the test was a low one, indicating that many students struggled with the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

The circus hit a high point (or a low one, depending on your view of the First Amendment), when an older gentleman in a kilt arrived and stood in front of the arguing protesters and counter-protesters and began playing the bagpipes.

Vice

Wood fell for 65 with the score on 167, making room to cut a low one from Giles, but this simply brought in the England captain to home-coming applause.

The Guardian - Sport

I just tried to come out this morning all guns blazing and shoot a low one.

The Guardian - Sport

Then he mixes it up with a low one, but Votto's not interested.

The Guardian - Sport

For consumers, all this new capacity will come at a price, but generally a low one.

The New York Times - Travel

Rome has always bounced back from its low points and it is certainly at a low one now.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Extending from each of the wings is a low, one-story block.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Give him a low one-lengther, I say from my perch.

The New York Times - Books

Then, Fleury blasted a low one-timer from the left wing circle through traffic and past Weekes at 7 20 of the third.

The New York Times - Sports

The main drawback of DIBR technology is a low one-time image quality.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

When using Reserved Instances, you pay a low, one-time fee to guarantee capacity for each instance during a 1 or 3 years period.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a low one" when you need a concise way to refer back to something previously mentioned that is characterized by lowness in quantity, quality, or position. This avoids repetition and maintains flow.

Common error

Avoid using "a low one" when a more specific descriptor is needed for clarity. Instead of saying "the score was a low one", specify "the score was a low 60%" to provide more informative context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a low one" functions as a referential phrase, often used to replace a noun or noun phrase previously mentioned in the context. It refers back to something characterized by its low quantity, quality, or position. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a low one" serves as a referential phrase, allowing for concise communication by referring back to something previously identified as low in quantity, quality, or position. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across varied contexts. While the phrase is versatile, it is important to ensure the context provides sufficient clarity to avoid ambiguity. It is most frequently encountered in news and media and scientific writing. For increased specificity or formality, consider alternatives like "a minimal amount" or "a substandard quality". Ludwig's analysis reveals that "a low one" offers a practical and efficient way to maintain brevity in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minimal value

Focuses on the aspect of quantity or measurement being small or reduced.

a small quantity

Highlights the limited amount or number of something.

a reduced level

Emphasizes the act of decreasing or diminishing something.

a minor instance

Suggests the unimportance or insignificance of an occurrence.

a bottom rank

Highlights the lowest position in a hierarchical structure.

a poor example

Focuses on the deficient quality or standard of something.

a substandard version

Emphasizes the failure to meet expected or required standards.

a deficient item

Highlights the incompleteness or lacking aspect of something.

an inferior iteration

Suggests a lower grade or quality compared to others.

a negligible amount

Emphasizes that the quantity is so small it's practically insignificant.

FAQs

How can I use "a low one" in a sentence?

You can use "a low one" to refer to a previously mentioned item characterized by its low quantity, quality, or position. For instance, "The initial estimate was high, but the final bid was "a low one"".

What's a more formal way to say "a low one"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "a minimal amount", "a reduced level", or "a substandard quality" depending on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "a low one"?

While grammatically correct, "a low one" can be vague. It's best to avoid using it when more specificity is needed to ensure clarity, as the context might not always be clear enough for the reader to understand what "low" refers to.

What can I say instead of "a low one" when describing test scores?

When describing test scores, you can use phrases such as "a poor score", "a failing grade", or "a low mark" for more clarity.