any slower than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "any slower than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the speed of something to a slower reference point, often in a negative context. Example: "I can't believe the train is running any slower than it already is."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

They aren't any slower than comparable bus routes on other streets – and, of course, they're charming.

The Guardian

One day after returning from Tokyo, the Mets did not appear to be moving any slower than usual.

The New York Times - Sports

It's certainly not any slower than IE, but I don't notice any particular speed improvement over IE either.

Forbes

With that said, I've seen no evidence that suggests the Mobile HotSpot app pushes data out at speeds any slower than a MiFi or a dedicated Verizon mobile broadband dongle; as far as I can tell, it's matching them kilobyte-for-kilobyte.

TechCrunch

And if something is any slower than the promised two minutes, we can get irritable.

Huffington Post

Being behind Loeb is easier to understand, because I didn't expect the C4 to be any slower than the Xsara, and that car had a performance edge over us last year".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

A group (G) has intermediate growth if (gamma (n)) grows faster than any polynomial but slower than any exponent function (lambda ^n, lambda >1) (i.e. (gamma (n) prec e^n)).

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

From these, seven standards (see Reagents) were selected to provide a set with a range of mobilities that extended from faster-than to slower-than any of the APTS-labelled saccharides analysed in this work.

Biotechnology for Biofuels

That's not quite what Native Client can achieve, but the advantage of Mozilla's approach is that the JavaScript code that the system generates will run in any browser – just slower than on Firefox.

TechCrunch

As a contemporary office worker, I'm used to forgoing a traditional lunch break, to the point where nipping out to Tesco and walking back at any pace slightly slower than Lad in Year 9 Trying Really Hard to Impress His PE Teacher feels hugely transgressive.

Vice

A universal feature is that any tumor growth slower than straight exponential growth will lead to smaller values of y(x) and thus to higher values of G. Therefore, as a result of tumor growth saturation, the asymptote becomes higher for slower tumor growth terms.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing speeds or rates, ensure that the objects or processes being compared are clearly defined. Using "any slower than" effectively requires a clear reference point for comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "any slower than" when the comparison is ambiguous or lacks a specific reference point. Always ensure the context makes it clear what is being compared to what, to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "any slower than" primarily functions as a comparative phrase, used to indicate that something is not exceeding a certain slowness. It sets a threshold or limit on speed, often in a negative or questioning context. The Ludwig AI analysis confirms this through its various examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "any slower than" serves as a comparative tool, primarily used to express that something is already slow and questioning if it can get any slower, or comparing two speeds. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across varied contexts, particularly in news, science, and wiki environments. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; always ensure a well-defined comparison to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "not as fast as" and "less rapid than" exist, "any slower than" provides a distinct comparative assessment of speed or rate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slower paced than

Simply replaces the word 'any' with 'paced'.

not as fast as

Focuses on the opposite end of the spectrum, using 'fast' to express a similar comparative relationship.

moving less quickly than

Replaces 'slower' with 'less quickly', offering a more explicit phrasing.

less rapid than

Replaces 'slower' with its synonym 'rapid', adding a touch of formality.

not so speedy as

Employs 'speedy', another synonym for 'fast', in a comparative structure.

at a reduced pace compared to

Uses a more descriptive phrase to indicate a slower rate or speed.

lagging behind in speed

Uses 'lagging behind' to indicate a slower pace relative to something else.

dragging more than

Uses the idiom 'dragging more' to add some vividness to the expression.

less brisk than

Substitutes 'slower' with 'less brisk', providing a slightly different tone.

not accelerating as much as

Shifts the focus to acceleration, implying a slower rate of increase in speed.

FAQs

How can I use "any slower than" in a sentence?

You can use "any slower than" to compare the speed of something to a specific reference point. For example, "The train couldn't possibly be going "any slower than" it already is."

What are some alternatives to "any slower than"?

Alternatives include phrases like "not as fast as", "less rapid than", or "moving less quickly than", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "any slower than"?

Yes, "any slower than" is grammatically correct. It's a comparative phrase used to indicate that something is not faster than a specified rate or speed.

In what contexts is "any slower than" commonly used?

"Any slower than" is frequently used in contexts involving comparisons of speed, progress, or performance, often in news articles or technical discussions.