but slower than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but slower than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare the speed of one thing to another, indicating that the first is slower than the second. Example: "The new model is more efficient, but slower than the previous version."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The in vitro degradation of the bioinspired bioceramics was faster than that of dense bioceramics but slower than that of porous counterparts.

Acta Biomaterialia

This month started out halfway decent but slower than last April".

The New York Times

The Droid's Web browser is good, but slower than the iPhone's.

The New York Times - Tech

Now, Mr. Peters said, "the layoffs are proceeding, but slower than that, much slower.

The New York Times

The second snap is also fast, but slower than the first, occurring in tens of milliseconds.

The New York Times - Science

"Obviously the court is moving faster than the defendant would like but slower than we would like," he said.

The New York Times

After the game, the exiting crowd was orderly but slower than usual because of the many closed gates.

The New York Times - Sports

China's economy is likely to grow faster than Africa's but slower than it has done in the recent past.

The Economist

Today's chips generally have three or even four different levels of cache, each of which is more capacious but slower than the last.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Overnight, Japan reported that its GDP rose by 0.5% during Q3, beating forecasts of 0.4% growth (but slower than the 0.9% in Q2).

The Guardian - Business

The real rascal here is the person who sublet his apartment, and you might understandably resent his getting not a free pass, perhaps, but slower than usual enforcement.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing speeds, ensure both items being compared are clearly defined. For example: "The data transfer was faster than dial-up, but slower than cable internet."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by making sure it's clear what you're comparing. Don't write: 'It was faster, but slower than before' without specifying what 'it' refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but slower than" functions as a comparative conjunction, linking two clauses to contrast the speeds of two different subjects or actions. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to establish relative speeds.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "but slower than" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to contrast the speeds of two subjects or actions. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this phrase is prevalent in diverse contexts ranging from scientific research to news reporting. The phrase is most frequently found in science, news and media, and academic sources, indicating its versatile and widely accepted usage. It effectively communicates a comparative relationship where one entity's speed is less than another's. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase, highlighting its role in providing nuanced comparisons across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet not as fast as

Emphasizes the lack of speed compared to something else.

not quite as fast as

Implies the difference in speed is marginal.

while not as quick as

Indicates a contrast in quickness.

but not as swift as

Uses a more poetic word ('swift') to imply a slower pace.

though less rapid than

Uses more formal language to indicate a slower pace.

not as accelerated as

A more formal phrasing using 'accelerated'.

however, not so speedy as

Highlights the reduced speed in a more elaborate way.

on the other hand, more gradual than

Switches perspective to highlight gradualness.

instead, a more measured speed than

Emphasizes the controlled nature of the slower pace.

still, at a more leisurely pace than

Focuses on the relaxed tempo rather than just speed.

FAQs

How can I use "but slower than" in a sentence?

Use "but slower than" to show a contrast between two speeds, indicating that something is not as fast as something else. For example: "The new processor is more efficient, but slower than the previous model."

What are some alternatives to "but slower than"?

You can use alternatives like "yet not as fast as", "though less rapid than", or "while not as quick as" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "but slower than" or "but more slowly than"?

"But slower than" is generally used when comparing speeds directly, while "but more slowly than" is used when comparing how an action is performed. Both can be correct, but "but slower than" is more common in most contexts.

What's the difference between "but slower than" and "but not as fast as"?

Both phrases convey a similar meaning, indicating a contrast in speed. "But slower than" is more concise, while "but not as fast as" can provide a slightly more descriptive comparison.