abysmally low

USAGE SUMMARY

'abysmally low' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a level that is extremely low. For example, "The government's response to the crisis was abysmally low."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The middle school scores are abysmally low".

The New York Times

By low, I mean abysmally low.

The New York Times

The Cavaliers' level is abysmally low.

The New York Times - Sports

Big budget deficits reduce America's already abysmally low saving rate.

The Economist

Abysmally low turnout among young people has long been a hallmark of American elections.

The New York Times

Abysmally low voter turnout alone underscored how Americans thought it hardly mattered who was elected.

The New York Times

"It's problematic: The overall number that each of these hospitals is reporting is abysmally low.

The New York Times

Turnout as usual will be abysmally low, at around 30-35%.

The Economist

WHEN expectations are abysmally low, almost anything can come as a pleasant surprise.

The Economist

Most discouraging was the abysmally low turnout among voters age 18 to 29 — just 38percentt.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Overall, Trump mostly cleared the abysmally-low bar his team had set for him.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "abysmally low" to emphasize a stark deficiency or a situation that is significantly below an expected or acceptable level. It is particularly effective when highlighting negative consequences or urgent needs for improvement.

Common error

While "abysmally low" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversations. Consider using simpler alternatives like "very low" or "extremely low" in less formal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abysmally low" functions as an intensifying adverb-adjective combination. It modifies a noun by emphasizing the extreme degree to which it is low. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "abysmally low" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize that something is extremely deficient or below an acceptable level. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's versatile enough for various writing contexts, although it is best suited for neutral or formal registers due to its slightly elevated tone. It is very common in news and media contexts. For less formal situations, alternatives such as "extremely low" or "very low" might be more appropriate. When using "abysmally low", ensure it accurately reflects the severity of the situation you are describing to avoid exaggerating its significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely low

Replaces "abysmally" with a more common adjective, reducing the intensity slightly.

exceptionally low

Similar to "extremely low", but suggests a more notable deviation from the norm.

remarkably low

Emphasizes the surprising nature of how low something is.

terribly low

Conveys a sense of negativity or concern about the low level.

pitifully low

Implies a sense of sadness or inadequacy due to the low level.

woefully inadequate

Shifts from directly describing the level as low to describing it as insufficient.

critically insufficient

Emphasizes the urgent and serious nature of the deficiency.

pathetically inadequate

Adds a layer of contempt or derision to the inadequacy.

dramatically reduced

Focuses on the change or reduction leading to the low state.

alarmingly deficient

Highlights the worrying or concerning aspect of the deficiency.

FAQs

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

You can use "abysmally low" to describe something that is extremely deficient or below an acceptable level. For example, "The test scores were "abysmally low", indicating a serious problem with the curriculum".

What are some alternatives to "abysmally low"?

Some alternatives to "abysmally low" include "extremely low", "exceptionally low", or "remarkably low", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "abysmally low" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "abysmally low" is appropriate for formal writing when you want to emphasize the severity of a deficiency. It adds a strong sense of negativity and concern.

What's the difference between "abysmally low" and "very low"?

"Abysmally low" carries a stronger connotation of inadequacy and disappointment compared to the more neutral phrase "very low". Use "abysmally low" when you want to highlight a particularly dire or unacceptable situation.