below that of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "below that of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare levels, ranks, or values, indicating that one is lesser than another in a specific context. Example: "The performance of the new model is below that of its predecessor in terms of efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The layoff rate for Hispanics, however, dropped sharply, falling below that of blacks.

The New York Times

Subordination describes the process of relegating a creditor's claim below that of others.

The New York Times

Their price-quality performance is below that of their competitors.

Harvard Business Review

GDP per person remains below that of Slovenia.

The Economist

However, its third-quarter profit is 3.6percentt below that of the second quarter, and also below that of the first quarter.

The New York Times

Its $700,000 endowment is far below that of most comparable schools.

The New York Times

No matter our productivity remains well below that of France and five other EU member states.

The Guardian

The Flyers played at a level far below that of their previous three games, all victories.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead, the effective rate on 30-year bonds fell well below that of 2-year notes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

A professor told him that the students' knowledge was below that of second-year undergraduates.

The New York Times

PAST WEEK IN DRY GOODS.; Store Sales Below That of Year Ago, but Rival Sales Above.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overusing "below that of" in contexts where simpler alternatives like "less than" or "lower than" are more concise and equally clear.

Common error

Avoid using "below that of" when comparing abstract or subjective qualities where a more nuanced term like "inferior to" or "less impressive than" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "below that of" functions as a prepositional phrase used for comparison. It typically follows a noun or pronoun to indicate that something is less than another thing in terms of quantity, quality, or degree. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "below that of" is a commonly used and grammatically sound prepositional phrase that serves to make comparisons, indicating that one item is less than another in a specific context. Ludwig confirms its correctness and widespread use across various domains. It is frequently found in news articles, scientific publications, and encyclopedic entries. While versatile, it's advisable to use simpler alternatives like "less than" when appropriate to maintain conciseness. Understanding its function and context allows for more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less than that of

Direct synonym; focuses on quantitative comparison.

lower than that of

Similar to 'less than that of', emphasizing a vertical or hierarchical relationship.

inferior to that of

Emphasizes a qualitative difference in value or quality.

not as high as that of

More verbose, less direct comparison.

subordinate to that of

Implies a hierarchical structure or order.

secondary to that of

Suggests a lower level of importance or priority.

trailing behind that of

Indicates a process of falling behind in progress or achievement.

dwarfed by that of

Emphasizes a significant difference in size or impact.

outstripped by that of

Suggests that something is rapidly overtaking another.

overshadowed by that of

Implies that something is less noticeable because of another's prominence.

FAQs

How can I use "below that of" in a sentence?

Use "below that of" to compare quantities, levels, or ranks. For example, "The water level is "below that of" the previous flood stage".

What are some alternatives to saying "below that of"?

Consider alternatives like "less than", "lower than", or "inferior to" depending on the context. For instance, instead of "The price is below that of competitors", you could say "The price is "less than" competitors".

Is it always necessary to use "that of" after "below"?

Using "that of" helps to clarify the comparison by specifying what is being compared. However, in some contexts, it can be omitted if the meaning is clear without it. Example: 'The temperature is below freezing' is correct, but 'The temperature is "below that of" freezing' would only work if you are comparing it to another situation.

What's the difference between "below that of" and "lower than that of"?

Both phrases are similar, but "lower than that of" often implies a hierarchical relationship or a vertical scale, while "below that of" is more general. The phrase "lower than that of" might be more appropriate when discussing ranks or positions, while "below that of" is used for general comparisons.