are well below

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are well below" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a lower amount or value. Example: "Sales figures for the fourth quarter are well below our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Today they are well below 10%.

Harvard Business Review

And other stocks are well below their 1999 highs too.

The New York Times

The correlation coefficients are well below the acceptable values.

Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal

Sorry chaps, but these clownish looks are well below par.

Independent

Crime rates are well below the German average.

The Economist

The pundits say our chances are well below 50%, but who wants objectivity?

The Guardian - Sport

All the renewable energy technologies are well below the CCC limit.

The Guardian

"We have city legislation where the thresholds are well below the state level," Mr. Smith said.

The New York Times

"Our science states we are well below state and county standards which regulate groundwater.

The New York Times

The JRF defines poverty as "when a person's resources are well below their minimum needs".

The Guardian

Most of these stocks, for example, are well below their 1999 highs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are well below", ensure you clearly state what the subject is lower than. This provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "are well below" without specifying the reference point. For example, instead of saying "Profits are well below", say "Profits are well below last year's figures" to provide a clear comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are well below" functions as a comparative expression. It indicates that a particular quantity or value is significantly less than another specified value or standard. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are well below" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that something is significantly lower than a certain point or standard. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure you provide clear context by specifying what the subject is lower than to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "are significantly lower than" or "fall short of" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are significantly lower than

Emphasizes the magnitude of the difference.

are considerably less than

Highlights that the difference is worth considering.

are substantially beneath

More formal and emphasizes a position underneath a certain level.

are far under

More informal way to express that something is below a certain point.

do not reach

Focuses on failing to achieve a certain level.

are a fraction of

Indicates the value is very small compared to the reference.

are dwarfed by

Highlights that the subject is small in comparison.

are nowhere near

Emphasizes a large difference.

are a long way from

Indicates a considerable distance from a target or level.

fall short of

Focuses on the deficiency in reaching a goal or standard.

FAQs

How do I use "are well below" in a sentence?

Use "are well below" to indicate that a value or quantity is significantly lower than another. For example, "The company's sales figures are well below expectations."

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

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

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

"Are well below" is used with plural subjects, while "is well below" is used with singular subjects. For example, "Sales figures are well below" (plural) versus "The average temperature is well below" (singular).

What's the difference between "are well below" and "are slightly below"?

"Are well below" indicates a significant difference, while "are slightly below" suggests a small difference. The choice depends on the magnitude of the difference you want to emphasize.