distinctly low

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distinctly low" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is clearly or noticeably at a low level, whether in terms of quality, quantity, or intensity. Example: "The sound was distinctly low, making it difficult to hear the conversation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The productions are distinctly low budget.

The New York Times

The stage is small; the productions are distinctly low budget.

The New York Times

Their hunting and harvesting equipment is often distinctly low tech, homemade and arcane.

The Guardian - Opinion

"P/e ratios now look distinctly low after the recent sharp market sell-off.

The Guardian - Money

There is too the question of FreshDirect and its distinctly low wage scale.

The New York Times

The graphics are more detailed than in previous games, but the game remains distinctly low tech and straightforward.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

But Sierra Leone is still a distinctly low-tech conflict.

The Economist

The technology for the filming is distinctly low-tech (we are ordered to remain entirely static because there is only one microphone to pick up everything).

The Guardian

For those happy with distinctly low-key après options and short (and, with a lift pass, free) bus rides between town and lift, Fieberbrunn offers attractive deals.

The Guardian - Travel

Although they traveled first class, their accommodations were distinctly low-rent, at an Econo Lodge on the faded end of the Strip.

The New York Times

At the Chinese Foreign Ministry, officials were distinctly low-key, noting that the bugging, which they called "a stupid action," would have no effect on President Bush's trip to China that begins Feb. 21.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "distinctly low", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being measured or assessed. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the extent of the deficiency.

Common error

While "distinctly low" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in very informal settings. Simpler words like "very low" or "obviously low" might be more appropriate for casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distinctly low" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun to emphasize that something is notably below a certain level. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "distinctly low" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression, primarily found in News & Media and Scientific contexts. According to Ludwig AI, its purpose is to emphasize a clear deficiency or reduction. While suitable for both formal and neutral registers, it may sound out of place in very informal conversation. For alternatives, consider "noticeably reduced" or "clearly diminished". Remember to use the phrase in contexts where you want to highlight that something is substantially below an expected standard.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

noticeably reduced

Changes the adverb for one indicating observation instead of distinction.

clearly diminished

Replaces both the adverb and adjective for synonyms emphasizing clarity and reduction.

markedly decreased

Uses synonyms to indicate a clear and measurable reduction.

visibly lessened

Focuses on the visual aspect of a reduction.

appreciably lower

Highlights that the reduction is significant enough to be noticed or valued.

plainly substandard

Emphasizes the obvious lack of quality or standard.

patently inadequate

Stresses the obvious insufficiency of something.

decidedly minimal

Indicates that something is very small or unimportant.

conspicuously insufficient

Highlights that the lack is easily noticeable and not enough.

significantly deficient

Replaces both words to emphasize that there is an important lack of something.

FAQs

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

Use "distinctly low" to describe something that is noticeably below an expected or average level. For example, "The company's profits were distinctly low this quarter."

What are some alternatives to "distinctly low"?

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

Is it better to say "distinctly low" or "very low"?

"Distinctly low" is more formal and emphasizes a clear difference from the norm. "Very low" is simpler and suitable for informal contexts.

What does "distinctly low" imply about the degree of lowness?

The term "distinctly low" suggests that the degree of lowness is significant enough to be easily noticed or differentiated from other levels. It's not just slightly low, but clearly and obviously so.