gets below

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gets below" is an acceptable and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a decrease in a given measure of something, and is often followed by the phrase "a certain level". For example: "Our sales numbers get below a certain level every summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

The largest grazing areas, the steppe and the mountain steppe and forest, get between 200 mm and 300 mm annually; the desert steppe receives between 100 and 200 mm; the desert gets below 100 mm; only the northern zone has over 300 mm.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

However, when the extremity temperature gets below a certain threshold, Cold induced vasodilatation (CIVD) occurs, a phenomenon that is believed to reduce the risk of local cold injuries.

Journal of Neuroscience Methods

But because it sells the goods it gets below market prices, it receives about $80 million in revenue.

The New York Times

My best guess is that wages are not going to start rising much in either country before the unemployment rate gets below 4 per cent.

Independent

The usual assumption is that once unemployment gets below a certain rate, idle labour becomes scarce and competition to hire already employed workers heats up.

The Economist

"Any time it gets below freezing, a certain area of my foot really gets swollen, so we will see what happens," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

The hospital gets below-average reviews on several questions, even though patients in the same surveys overwhelmingly say they would recommend the clinic to friends.

The New York Times - Health

"Artists and teams can use technology to design a screening system that gets below-market-priced tickets directly to passionate fans who will use them.

TechCrunch

The temperature can get below minus 39 degrees Celsius.

The New York Times - Travel

The other half received an average of three medications with the goal of getting below 120.

The Guardian

"In slalom, the lower your score, the better, and he had to get below 140 points.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gets below" in scientific writing, ensure the units of measurement are clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, "the temperature gets below 0 degrees Celsius" is more precise than "the temperature gets below zero".

Common error

Avoid using "gets below" in contexts where a more precise or technical term is required. For instance, in financial reports, using "falls below" or "drops beneath" might be more appropriate than "gets below".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gets below" functions as a verb phrase indicating a decrease in a measurable quantity or level. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used to describe the act of something reducing to a point beneath a specified threshold. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts like temperature and market prices.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

29%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gets below" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate that a certain value or level has decreased to a point beneath a specified threshold. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. It's grammatically sound and frequently employed across various contexts, with its primary usage in news and scientific media. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives might be preferable in technical contexts. Remember to use precise units of measurement and choose more specific terms when appropriate. As the examples from Ludwig illustrate, this phrase effectively communicates the concept of reduction in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

falls below

Emphasizes a drop or decline to a lower level. The nuance is on the action of falling.

drops beneath

Highlights a quick or sudden reduction, often suggesting a significant difference in level.

sinks below

Implies a gradual descent or decline, suggesting a more prolonged downward movement.

descends to

Suggests a formal or measured reduction, often used in technical or descriptive contexts.

reaches under

Focuses on achieving a level that is lower than a specified point, emphasizing the final state.

dips under

Implies a temporary or slight decrease, suggesting a quick return to the previous level.

goes under

Suggests passing under a specific level or threshold. Can imply a breach or a violation.

reduces to less than

Focuses on the action of decreasing to a specific amount, emphasizing numerical value.

declines to under

Indicates a measured decrease to below a certain point, suggesting a gradual downward trend.

lowers to less than

Emphasizes the act of actively reducing something to a lower value or level.

FAQs

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

You can use "gets below" to describe when a value or level decreases. For example, "The temperature in winter usually gets below freezing", or "The unemployment rate rarely "falls below" 5%".

What's a more formal alternative to "gets below"?

In formal writing, consider using phrases like "drops beneath", ""falls below"", or "descends to" which provide a more professional tone.

Is it always appropriate to use "gets below" when describing a decrease?

While "gets below" is generally acceptable, ensure it fits the context. More technical or precise language might be needed in scientific or financial contexts. Consider alternatives like "reduces to less than" for numerical values.

What's the difference between "gets below" and "goes under"?

"Gets below" typically refers to a numerical or measurable value decreasing to a lower level. "Goes under" can imply a breach or failure, as in "the company went under", which means it failed financially. So the context changes a lot.