distinctly below

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distinctly below" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a clear or noticeable position lower than something else, often in a comparative context. Example: "The temperature today is distinctly below the average for this time of year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

My skin is the colour of whey and I'm feeling distinctly below par.

The Guardian - Travel

Earlier, the West Indies total of 108 for four after deciding to bat first looked distinctly below par.

The Guardian - Sport

Jason Lee's side were distinctly below par but suffered at the hands of some borderline strong-arm tactics from their opponents.

The Guardian - Sport

Without her, her ex-husband, Maxim de Winter, wouldn't have disappeared to Monte Carlo and stumbled across our unnamed narrator, a nervous, waiflike young woman who is distinctly below Maxim in class and background.

Huffington Post

He thought that Billie Piper was "distinctly below par", citing her gaunt and malnourished appearance, new hairstyle, and slight lisp as reasons why her acting was not her finest.

Wikipedia

According to E. P. Evans, former Oxford rower in the 1904, 1905 and 1906 races, writing in The Manchester Guardian, the Cambridge crew was "worthy to be classed with some of the best that Cambridge has turned out", while Oxford "rowed distinctly below their practice form and were a most disappointing crew".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I conducted a small opinion poll with distinctly below-average results.

Independent

The cutoff frequency is a crucial characteristic of the frequency response as a signal filter; for instance, a cell response can be distinctly featured below and above this frequency such as the generation of repetitive ([Ca2+] -spikes varying in frequency, amplitude, and duration depending on the strength and type of the extracellular agonist [Ca2+] -spikes

Plosone

The sky has turned a very deep blue and the Earth below is distinctly curved.

Forbes

Many sport a distinctly phallic projection below midlevel, which relates to a type of sculpture common in ancient Greece and Rome called the herm, which is what Mr. Indiana calls his sculptures.

The New York Times - Arts

HE = heterogeneity of the background color among different parts of a shell whorl: (0) homogeneous, (1) a distinctly darker band below the suture.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "distinctly below" to emphasize a clear and noticeable difference in level or position. This phrase is suitable when you want to highlight that something is not just slightly, but clearly lower than something else.

Common error

While "distinctly below" is grammatically sound, it may sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider simpler alternatives like "clearly lower" or "noticeably less" for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distinctly below" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective. It indicates that something is clearly and noticeably lower in position, quality, or degree than something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "distinctly below" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize that something is clearly and noticeably lower than another reference point. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's deemed correct and usable. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for professional, academic, and news-related contexts. Although versatile, simpler alternatives might be preferred in informal conversations. Related phrases, such as "visibly below" or "obviously below", can be used to modulate the emphasis depending on the specific context. Remember, the key is to ensure that your word choice aligns with the desired tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

visibly below

Replaces "distinctly" with "visibly", emphasizing that the lower position is easily seen or noticed.

obviously below

Substitutes "distinctly" with "obviously", suggesting that the lower position is clear and undeniable.

strikingly below

Replaces "distinctly" with "strikingly", highlighting that the lower position is remarkable or attention-grabbing.

vastly below

Replaces "distinctly" with "vastly", indicating that the lower position is by a large margin.

appreciably below

Substitutes "distinctly" with "appreciably", emphasizing that the lower position is noticeable or considerable.

definitely below

Replaces "distinctly" with "definitely", making the lower position certain and without a doubt.

substantially below

Substitutes "distinctly" with "substantially", indicating that the lower position is significant or considerable.

considerably below

Replaces "distinctly" with "considerably", highlighting that the lower position is to a noteworthy extent.

conspicuously below

Substitutes "distinctly" with "conspicuously", suggesting that the lower position is easily noticeable or obvious.

noticeably below

Replaces "distinctly" with "noticeably", highlighting that the lower position can be easily detected or observed.

FAQs

How can I use "distinctly below" in a sentence?

You can use "distinctly below" to indicate a clear or noticeable position lower than something else. For example, "The temperature today is distinctly below the average for this time of year."

What can I say instead of "distinctly below"?

You can use alternatives like "clearly below", "noticeably below", or "markedly below" depending on the context.

Is "distinctly below" formal or informal?

"Distinctly below" is generally considered more formal. In informal contexts, phrases like "clearly lower" or "noticeably less" might be more appropriate.

What does "distinctly" emphasize in the phrase "distinctly below"?

"Distinctly" emphasizes that the difference or degree to which something is below is clear and easily noticeable. It indicates that the difference isn't marginal but rather pronounced.