far lower than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'far lower than' is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is often used to compare two numbers or amounts that differ greatly. For example, you could say "The cost of the flight was far lower than expected at just $250."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, oil prices are far lower than they were in 2011.

Huffington Post

That's far lower than their adult counterparts.

The New York Times

And prices are generally far lower than in New York.

The New York Times - Travel

Costs have been far lower than originally expected.

The New York Times

Even the TV ratings are down, far lower than forecasted.

The New York Times

Cisco's growth rate was far lower than the commodity manufacturers'.

The New York Times

The numbers are also far lower than in past years.

The New York Times

Moore said that was far lower than the 10% average cuts in Whitehall spending.

The Guardian

The population of cormorants is far lower than wood pigeons, which are almost in their millions.

The Guardian

The family find general costs of living, including childcare, far lower than in London.

The Guardian - Money

Fisher finished 30th of 33, far lower than the 10th place she had hoped for.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far lower than" to emphasize a significant difference between two values, quantities, or levels. This phrase is particularly effective when you want to highlight a notable disparity.

Common error

While "far lower than" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in very informal settings. Simpler alternatives like "much lower than" or "way below" might be more appropriate for casual conversations or informal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far lower than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to indicate that one thing is significantly less or of a smaller degree than another. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptable use in various written contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "far lower than" is a grammatically sound and widely used comparative phrase that serves to highlight a significant difference between two values. Ludwig AI analysis shows its common occurrence in both journalistic and scientific writing, emphasizing its versatility. While it's generally acceptable, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate in very informal settings. When aiming to underscore a notable disparity, "far lower than" is a strong choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably less than

Emphasizes a substantial reduction but uses 'less' instead of 'lower'.

distinctly less

Emphasizes a clear and easily noticeable difference.

substantially less than

Indicates a considerable amount or degree is smaller in comparison.

significantly smaller than

Focuses on the size or quantity being less, rather than a vertical position.

well below

Indicates a clear and easily noticeable difference from a benchmark.

substantially beneath

Implies a larger difference, often used in more formal contexts.

appreciably less than

Highlights that the difference is large enough to be important.

markedly inferior to

Highlights a clear difference in quality or value.

vastly under

Conveys a large margin below a certain level.

noticeably reduced from

Indicates a change from a previous state, with a focus on the reduction.

FAQs

How can I use "far lower than" in a sentence?

You can use "far lower than" to compare two quantities or values, emphasizing the significant difference between them. For example, "The crime rate in the city is "far lower than" it was a decade ago."

What are some alternatives to "far lower than"?

Alternatives include phrases like "significantly smaller than", "considerably less than", or "much lower than". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey. Some other options include "well below" or "vastly under".

Is it grammatically correct to say "far lower than"?

Yes, "far lower than" is grammatically correct. The word "far" acts as an intensifier, strengthening the comparison made by "lower than".

What is the difference between "far lower than" and "slightly lower than"?

"Far lower than" indicates a substantial difference, while "slightly lower than" suggests only a minor difference. The choice between them depends on the magnitude of the difference you are describing.