fractionally lower than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fractionally lower than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two quantities, indicating that one is slightly less than the other. Example: "The temperature today is fractionally lower than it was yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

On New York's Comex, silver bullion for current delivery settled at $4.945 an ounce, fractionally lower than Thursday's $4.946.

The New York Times

Call in the Andes are described as "2-5 sad, halting, slightly descending whistles, each note fractionally lower than previous, wheeeeaa,...

Cornell University

Having voted for a figure fractionally lower than that on Wednesday, some members of the European Parliament asserted that they had shown restraint.

The New York Times

In a hold note Numis said: Assets under managment at £323.3bn were fractionally lower than our forecast £325bn, due to slightly weaker than expected net flows in most parts of the business (excluding Scottish Widows, where flows were marginally better).

The Guardian - Business

Because Fidelity unbundles fund-management and administration fees more than most, its total expense ratio will come to 0.3%—only fractionally lower than F&C's all-in 0.35% and not far below market leader Legal & General's 0.52%.

The Economist

Surprisingly, this was fractionally lower than D. melanogaster complement recovery.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Illinois's error rate was fractionally lower (66%) than average.

The Economist

And Insurgent seems to have held its nerve, turning out fractionally lower in the US than Divergent – $52.3m to $54.6m – but rising in virtually every key overseas market.

The Guardian - Film

That is actually a fractionally lower share of the vote than he won in Iowa during his previous presidential run, in 2008, when he eked out 25.2%, coming second.

The Economist

A fractionally lower price gets the business.

Harvard Business Review

Such is the safety and liquidity of call money that, despite the fractionally lower rate on it compared with other reserve assets, the banks hold about half of their required reserves in this form.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared when using "fractionally lower than", to maintain clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "fractionally lower than" when the difference is significant. This phrase indicates a minimal difference, not a substantial one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fractionally lower than" functions as a comparative, specifically indicating that one quantity or value is a minimal amount less than another. This function is evident across the examples provided by Ludwig, showing its role in precise comparison.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fractionally lower than" serves as a precise comparative phrase indicating a minimal difference between two values or quantities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in formal and neutral contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Academia. To avoid misleading your audience, remember to use this phrase when the difference you're describing is, in fact, very small. Alternatives such as "slightly less than" or "marginally smaller than" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fractionally below

Omits "than" while retaining a formal tone and meaning very close to the original.

slightly less than

Focuses on the small degree of difference in a general way.

marginally smaller than

Emphasizes the small margin by which something is less.

a tad below

More informal and emphasizes a minimal difference.

a shade under

Informal and emphasizes a minimal difference.

barely under

Highlights that the difference is only just below a certain point.

minutely less than

Stresses the extremely small amount by which something is less.

just a bit lower than

A more verbose and casual way of expressing a slight difference.

negligibly less than

Suggests that the difference is so small it is practically insignificant.

almost imperceptibly lower than

Highlights that the difference is difficult to notice.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "fractionally lower than" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "slightly less than", "marginally smaller than", or "a tad below" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "fractionally lower than" in formal writing?

Yes, "fractionally lower than" is suitable for formal writing when you want to express that a value is only slightly less than another. It maintains a professional and precise tone.

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

While both phrases indicate a small difference, "fractionally lower than" implies an even smaller, almost negligible difference compared to "slightly lower than".

Can "fractionally lower than" be used for non-numerical comparisons?

While primarily used for numerical or quantifiable comparisons, "fractionally lower than" can also apply to qualities or characteristics, implying a minimal degree of difference. For example, "His confidence was "fractionally lower than" usual".