have been lower

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been lower" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a decrease in quantity, quality, or level over a period of time. Example: "The temperatures this winter have been lower than average, leading to increased snowfall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Economic growth would have been lower.

The New York Times

Other estimates have been lower.

The New York Times

"My emotions couldn't have been lower," he says.

The Guardian - Tech

"We have seen E.M.S. runs have been lower.

The New York Times

The ratings for the Democratic debates have been lower.

The New Yorker

But he said his round could have been lower.

The New York Times - Sports

"Wish I could have been lower," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

While the prices have been lower, the relationships have been rocky, and that's putting it mildly.

Harvard University

The population has been estimated at 131,000 breeding pairs, although recently estimates have been lower.

Cornell University

As a consequence, our initial audience levels and advertising revenues have been lower than planned.

The Guardian

Borrowing costs have been lower than at almost any point in American history.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been lower", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being compared. For example, "This year's profits have been lower than last year's" provides a clear comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "have been lower" without a point of reference. Saying "Prices have been lower" is vague. Instead, specify: "Prices have been lower compared to last quarter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been lower" primarily functions as a comparative descriptor. It indicates that something's value, level, or quantity is less than a previous or expected value. The wide range of examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate this function across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been lower" is a versatile and frequently used expression that serves to indicate a decrease or reduction compared to a previous state or expectation. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts. Analysis of numerous examples reveals its prevalence in news, science, and business writing, highlighting its function as a comparative descriptor. When using "have been lower", it's important to ensure a clear point of reference for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have decreased

Focuses on the action of diminishing rather than the state of being low.

have declined

Suggests a gradual reduction, often in a formal context.

have diminished

Implies a lessening in importance or impact.

have reduced

Emphasizes the act of making something smaller.

have dropped

Indicates a sudden or noticeable fall.

have fallen

Similar to "have dropped" but can also describe a more gradual decrease.

were not as high

Expresses the idea by comparing to a previous higher level.

haven't been as elevated

Uses a more formal tone to indicate that levels have not reached previous highs.

haven't reached the same level

Focuses on the failure to attain a specific previous level.

are not as significant

Implies that something is less important or impactful than before.

FAQs

How do I use "have been lower" in a sentence?

Use "have been lower" to indicate a decrease in quantity, quality, or level over a period of time. For example: "The ratings "have been lower" for the Democratic debates this year".

What are some alternatives to "have been lower"?

You can use alternatives like "have decreased", "have declined", or "have diminished" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "have been lower" or "was lower"?

Both "have been lower" and "was lower" can be correct, but they have different meanings. "Have been lower" implies a change over a period of time, whereas "was lower" refers to a specific point in the past. Consider the context to select the most fitting term.

What's the difference between "have been lower" and "are lower"?

"Have been lower" indicates a past trend or observation, while "are lower" describes the current state. For example, "Sales have been lower this quarter" indicates a trend, but "Sales are lower now" describes the current situation.