are far below

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are far below" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is significantly lower in quality, quantity, or level compared to something else. Example: "The results of the experiment are far below our expectations, indicating a need for further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The shining seas and purple mountains celebrated in the patriotic hymn are far below and actual Americans remain invisible.

The Guardian - Books

Key health indicators are far below EU averages.

The Economist

Both figures are far below the President's $5.3 billion request.

The New York Times

The stresses are far below the allowable values of the ASME code.

Annals of Nuclear Energy

While the property values in Danbury are far below those of Greenwich, the same fundamentals apply.

The New York Times

Their education levels, even into the fourth generation, are far below that of other groups.

The New York Times

Farms and households in many areas pay rates that are far below the costs of service.

The New York Times

Interest in Paralympic tickets – many of which cost less than £2 – are far below expectations.

The Guardian

Yet few would deny that farm income levels are far below current costs.

The New York Times

Unsurprisingly, electricity use (if not the bills) and seasonal-businesses profits are far below average.

The New York Times

But the statistics for 2012 are far below what could be explained by weather alone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add emphasis, consider pairing "are far below" with quantitative data or statistics that highlight the disparity.

Common error

Avoid using "are far below" without a specific reference point. For example, instead of saying "Sales are far below", specify "Sales are far below last year's figures" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are far below" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, indicating that a subject's value, level, or quantity is significantly less than a specific standard or reference point. As shown by Ludwig, it serves to highlight a notable deficiency or shortfall.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are far below" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express that something is significantly less than a specific target or standard. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable in written English. The phrase is most commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts to highlight disparities or unmet expectations. To ensure clarity, always provide a clear point of comparison when using this phrase. While alternatives like "are significantly lower than" and "fall far short of" exist, "are far below" offers a straightforward and effective way to convey a notable deficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are significantly lower than

Replaces "far" with "significantly", offering a slightly more formal tone.

are substantially less than

Uses "substantially" to emphasize the difference, suggesting a considerable disparity.

are much lower than

Employs "much" for a simpler, more direct comparison.

are well below

Substitutes "far" with "well", implying a comfortable margin below a certain level.

are considerably under

Uses "considerably" to highlight the extent to which something falls short.

are drastically inferior to

Indicates a severe difference in quality or value.

are nowhere near

Expresses that something is not close to reaching a particular level or standard.

fall far short of

Emphasizes the failure to reach a required level or expectation.

pale in comparison to

Highlights the insignificance of one thing when compared to another.

cannot compare with

Implies that no comparison can be made between the two due to the vast difference.

FAQs

How can I use "are far below" in a sentence?

You can use "are far below" to express that something is significantly less than something else, such as "Test scores are far below the national average" or "Our production costs are far below our competitors'.

What can I say instead of "are far below"?

You can use alternatives like "are significantly lower than", "are substantially less than", or "fall far short of" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "are far below" in formal writing?

"Are far below" is appropriate in formal writing when you need to clearly and directly indicate a significant difference between two quantifiable items or standards. Ensure the comparison is precise and relevant to the discussion.

Which is correct, "are far below" or "is far below"?

Use "are far below" when referring to a plural subject (e.g., "The results are far below expectations"). Use "is far below" for singular subjects (e.g., "The temperature is far below freezing").