are significantly lower

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are significantly lower" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing quantities, values, or measurements that are notably less than another reference point. Example: "The test scores of the students who studied regularly are significantly lower than those who did not."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

surveys, and its prices are significantly lower than BT.

The Guardian - Money

Prices are significantly lower than at the Ferry Plaza market.

The New York Times - Travel

Prices for tribal art are significantly lower than for fine arts and antiques.

The New York Times - Arts

The government's projections are significantly lower – but then government projections usually are.

The Guardian

But the ceilings are significantly lower — eight feet high instead of the usual 11.

The New York Times

In my city, at least, Uber's rates are significantly lower.

The Economist

ratios that are significantly lower than industry averages.

The New York Times

Gas prices that are significantly lower than last summer's (albeit rising) may also be affecting decisions to hit the road.

The New York Times - Travel

Also, building operating costs are significantly lower, including 10% reductions in energy bills.

The Economist

But New York's current tuition costs are significantly lower than those in other northeastern systems.

The New York Times

"Actual payroll tax income in 2008 and projected future amounts are significantly lower than previously projected, due to lower levels of average wages and fewer covered workers".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing data sets, clearly state what is being compared when using "are significantly lower". For example, specify, 'Test scores in Group A are significantly lower than in Group B' to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "are significantly lower" without providing specific data or comparison points. Statements like 'Prices are significantly lower' lack impact unless the baseline for comparison is established.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are significantly lower" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that its value or quantity is notably less than something else. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are significantly lower" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It effectively conveys that one value or quantity is notably less than another. It's prevalent in scientific, news, and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context by specifying what is being compared, and avoid overgeneralization without supporting data. Alternatives such as "are substantially less" or "are markedly reduced" can be used to add variety to your writing. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its widespread applicability across diverse fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are substantially less

Uses "substantially" instead of "significantly", emphasizing a considerable difference.

are markedly reduced

Replaces "lower" with "reduced", highlighting the action of decreasing.

are considerably smaller

Employs "smaller" to denote a decrease in size or amount.

are significantly curtailed

The related alternative uses "curtailed" instead of "lower" which focus on restriction or limitation.

are appreciably less

Substitutes "significantly" with "appreciably", suggesting a noticeable but not necessarily drastic reduction.

are notably diminished

Uses "diminished" to indicate a decrease in importance or quantity.

exhibit a marked decrease

Shifts the focus to the observation of a decrease rather than the state of being lower.

show a considerable reduction

Highlights the act of reduction and its considerable extent.

are substantially curtailed

Emphasizes a restriction or limitation resulting in a lower quantity.

are materially less

Replaces "significantly" with "materially", emphasizing the importance or relevance of the reduction.

FAQs

How can I use "are significantly lower" in a sentence?

You can use "are significantly lower" to compare two or more values, indicating that one is substantially less than the other. For example, "The costs of renewable energy "are significantly lower" than they were a decade ago".

What's a more formal way to say "are significantly lower"?

In a more formal context, you could say "are substantially less" or "are markedly reduced". These alternatives maintain a professional tone while conveying the same meaning.

Is it always necessary to quantify 'significantly lower' with specific numbers?

While not always required, quantifying 'significantly lower' with specific numbers strengthens your argument. For example, instead of saying "Sales were significantly lower", you could say "Sales were 30% lower this quarter compared to last quarter".

How does "are significantly lower" differ from "are slightly lower"?

"Are significantly lower" implies a considerable difference, while "are slightly lower" suggests a minor difference. The choice depends on the magnitude of the difference you want to convey.