hit a low of

USAGE SUMMARY

"hit a low of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a drop or descent in the value of something. For example, "The stock market hit a low of 10,000 points last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They hit a low of around $60 billion a year, and have only now begun to trend slightly upward.

The New York Times

The firm's market capitalisation hit a low of barely $750m.

The Economist

The company's shares hit a low of $17.55 last fall.

The New York Times

The shares headed downwards almost immediately, and at one point hit a low of 32p.

The Guardian - Business

The stock closed Wednesday at $34.98; last May it hit a low of $27.61.

The New York Times

Last fall, the monthly average hit a low of forty-one percent.

The New Yorker

Just hit a low of $1.4478 – a new low for the year.

The Guardian

Brent crude futures fell to $47.90 per barrel, having hit a low of $47.72 on Tuesday.

The Guardian - Business

Deaths on motorcycles hit a low of 2,116 in 1997.

The New York Times

Prices slipped over 2008 and hit a low of £157,767 in summer 2009.

The Guardian - Money

On March 10th the shares hit a low of $40,800.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hit a low of", ensure that you provide context by specifying the time frame and the unit of measurement or category being discussed. For instance, "The company's stock hit a low of $10 in March 2024."

Common error

Avoid using "hit a low of" without providing a specific point of reference or comparison. For example, instead of just saying "Sales hit a low", specify when the sales hit that low, such as "Sales hit a low in the second quarter of 2024."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hit a low of" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the attainment of a minimum level or value. This is supported by Ludwig's analysis, affirming its correct and usable nature in written English. The phrase serves to denote a significant drop or descent to a particular point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hit a low of" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe reaching a minimum value or level. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correctly used in written English. Predominantly found in news and business contexts, it serves to convey information about declines or decreases to the lowest point. To ensure clarity, it's essential to provide context and specify the subject, time frame, and units involved. Related phrases such as "bottomed out at" or "reached its nadir at" offer alternative ways to express this concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marked a record low of

Highlights the attainment of a new historical low point.

bottomed out at

Uses the phrasal verb "bottomed out" to convey the idea of reaching the lowest point and potentially starting to rise again.

touched its lowest level at

Uses "touched" to suggest a brief or temporary state at the lowest level.

decreased to a floor of

Implies a support level was touched, suggesting it can't go any lower.

reached its nadir at

Replaces "hit a low of" with a more formal and literary term "nadir", indicating the lowest point.

declined to the lowest point of

More descriptive, specifying the decline and identifying the lowest point.

experienced its lowest value at

A more technical and neutral way of describing reaching a minimum value.

fell to a trough of

Employs "trough" as a synonym for low point, implying a valley-like shape in a graph.

plummeted to a minimum of

Emphasizes the sharp and rapid decline leading to the lowest point with 'plummeted'.

sank to the depths of

Figuratively describes reaching a very low point, often with negative connotations.

FAQs

How can I use "hit a low of" in a sentence?

You can use "hit a low of" to describe a minimum value or level that something has reached. For example, "The unemployment rate "hit a low of" 3% last year" or "The river's water level "hit a low of" 10 feet during the drought."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "hit a low of"?

Some alternatives include "reached its nadir at", "bottomed out at", or "fell to a trough of". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "hitting a low of" instead of "hit a low of"?

While "hitting a low of" might be grammatically correct in some contexts, ""hit a low of"" is generally preferred when describing a past event or a specific point in time. "Hitting a low of" might be used in a continuous or ongoing context.

What's the difference between ""hit a low of"" and "reached a low point of"?

The phrases are very similar in meaning. "Hit a low of" is slightly more informal and direct, while "reached a low point of" is a bit more descriptive and can be used in slightly more formal contexts.