at less than

USAGE SUMMARY

"at less than" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to compare two quantities, with the first being smaller than the second. Example: The cost of the new phone is at less than $500. (meaning the cost is lower than $500) Other examples: - The temperature stayed at less than 10 degrees Celsius all day. (meaning the temperature was below 10 degrees Celsius) - The company's profits were at less than $1 million this quarter. (meaning the profits were less than $1 million).

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

acceleration times at less than nine seconds.

The New York Times

Sauerbrey put it at less than fifty.

The New Yorker

Spending was estimated at less than $5 million.

The New York Times

Prices started at less than $100,000.

The New York Times

had been measured at less than 70.

The New York Times

Billings were estimated at less than $10 million.

The New York Times

Winstar shares closed yesterday at less than a penny.

The New York Times

"I'm back at less than zero," she remembered thinking.

The New York Times - Arts

"He was born prematurely, at less than eight months.

The Guardian

Fish will firm up at less than 50C.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Most now trade at less than their annual sales.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at less than" to describe numerical values, ensure the units of measurement are consistent and clearly stated for clarity. For example, instead of "prices start at less than 10", specify "prices start at less than $10".

Common error

Avoid using "at less than" when a simple comparison is sufficient. For example, instead of saying "this car's fuel economy is at less than the competitor's", use "this car's fuel economy is less than the competitor's" for conciseness and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at less than" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or noun phrase. It indicates that a quantity or value is below a certain threshold. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

22%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at less than" serves as a prepositional phrase that is both grammatically sound and widely applicable for expressing values below a defined threshold. Ludwig AI verifies its correctness, and examples showcase its prevalence in various fields such as news, science, and technology. While alternatives like "below" and "under" exist, "at less than" provides a specific nuance often used when estimating or approximating. Be mindful of the comparative contexts to avoid redundancy, and ensure clarity in your units of measurement. With a high source quality and consistent usage, "at less than" remains a valuable tool for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

below

Single-word substitute focusing on the position below a certain level or number.

under

Similar to 'below', but can also refer to a range or limit.

not exceeding

More formal and precise, explicitly stating the limit that is not to be surpassed.

less than or equal to

Expresses inclusivity of the limit, allowing it to be the maximum value.

lower than

Highlights the comparative aspect, emphasizing that something is smaller in value or quantity.

beneath

Implies a figurative or literal position that is under something else.

short of

Indicates that a target or desired amount was not reached.

inferior to

Used when comparing quality or status, indicating a lower rank or grade.

a fraction of

Expresses that some small amount of the total exists.

in deficit of

Formal language used to indicate that a certain amount or number is insufficient.

FAQs

How can I use "at less than" in a sentence?

You can use "at less than" to indicate that a value or quantity is smaller than a specified amount. For example, "The cost of the repair was estimated at less than $100."

What are some alternatives to using "at less than"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "below", "under", or "not exceeding" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "at less than or equal to"?

Yes, saying "at less than or equal to" is grammatically correct and specifies that a value can be smaller than or the same as a given amount. Alpha was set "at less than or equal to" 0.05.

What's the difference between "at less than" and "less than"?

"Less than" is more concise and commonly used for direct comparisons. "At less than" is often used when stating an estimated or approximate value, such as "spending was estimated "at less than" $5 million".