dramatically fewer than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dramatically fewer than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare quantities, emphasizing a significant difference in numbers. Example: "The new policy resulted in dramatically fewer than expected participants in the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

If so, the number of deaths will be dramatically fewer than even the new estimate.

The Guardian

After that, Trump's references to Mexico paying for the wall dropped dramatically — fewer than 20 times over 23 months.

The Washington Post

In Britain, only 54% said they now viewed the US favourably, compared with 68% before the spill – dramatically fewer than the 77% of Americans who felt favourably towards Britain.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Most of the improved areas, like this one, had dramatically fewer cars than before the restrictions.

The New York Times

Hemp's naturally higher resistance to weeds and pests means it requires dramatically fewer pesticides than cotton.

The New York Times

"The accused in such a court would have dramatically fewer rights than a person would in a court-martial," said Eugene R. Fidell, the president of the National Institute of Military Justice.

The New York Times

For example, as Fusion's Felix Salmon demonstrated in March, Trump had dramatically more delegates than his percentage of the Republican vote at that point, and Sanders had dramatically fewer delegates than his percentage on the Democratic side.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The most dramatic decline happened in this last winter, 2009, where on our survey units there were dramatically fewer tigers than any of the past years," said Dale G. Miquelle, head of the society's Russia Far East program.

The New York Times - Science

As the chart below shows, that is dramatically fewer rules than previous presidents have issued in their first years.

Forbes

By any measure, the Trump administration has issued dramatically fewer regulations than previous administrations during their first two years.

Forbes

Glenfeshie today lies within the boundaries of the Cairngorms national park but is privately owned, and although it is still run as a shooting estate there are now dramatically fewer deer than before.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dramatically fewer than", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared and why the reduction is significant. This phrase is most effective when highlighting a notable change.

Common error

Avoid using "dramatically fewer than" for minor reductions; the term "dramatically" implies a substantial and noticeable difference. If the change is minimal, opt for a more appropriate descriptor like "slightly fewer than".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dramatically fewer than" functions as a comparative quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate a significantly smaller amount. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dramatically fewer than" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to indicate a significant reduction in quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for emphasizing a notable difference, particularly in News & Media and Science contexts. It's important to use this phrase when the reduction is substantial, avoiding its use for minor changes. Alternatives include "considerably less than" or "significantly smaller than".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably less than

Changes the adverb "dramatically" to "considerably", maintaining the emphasis on a notable difference.

significantly smaller than

Replaces "fewer" with "smaller", adjusting the phrase to describe size or quantity in a more general sense.

markedly reduced compared to

Shifts from a direct comparison to an emphasis on the act of reduction.

substantially diminished from

Uses stronger verbs to highlight the extent of the decrease.

noticeably lower than

Focuses on the perceptibility of the difference, making it clear that the reduction is easily observed.

appreciably less than

Emphasizes that the difference is significant enough to be worth considering.

substantially fewer in number than

Adds specificity by explicitly stating that the comparison relates to a numerical quantity.

considerably reduced relative to

Swaps "than" with "relative to" creating a more formal tone.

strikingly less than

Replaces "dramatically" with "strikingly", intensifying the noticeable difference.

remarkably smaller quantity than

Substitutes multiple words to change the phrase structure while retaining the core meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "dramatically fewer than" in a sentence?

Use "dramatically fewer than" to emphasize a significant reduction in quantity or number when comparing two situations or datasets. For instance, "The new safety regulations resulted in "dramatically fewer accidents" than the previous year".

What are some alternatives to "dramatically fewer than"?

Alternatives include phrases like "considerably less than", "significantly smaller than", or "markedly reduced compared to". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it always appropriate to use "dramatically fewer than"?

No, "dramatically fewer than" is most appropriate when the difference is substantial and noticeable. For smaller or less significant differences, consider using phrases such as "slightly fewer than" or "marginally less than".

What is the difference between "dramatically fewer than" and "slightly fewer than"?

"Dramatically fewer than" indicates a large and significant difference, while "slightly fewer than" suggests a minor or negligible difference. The choice depends on the magnitude of the reduction you wish to convey.