is lower than

USAGE SUMMARY

"is lower than" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to compare two different things. For example: "The price of this product is lower than its competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The rent is lower than Madison Avenue".

The New York Times

That is lower than during the GFC.

The Guardian - Business

That is lower than under Labour.

The Guardian

"Our average donation is lower than theirs.

The New York Times

His batting average is lower than ever.

The Washington Post

Their GDP is lower than ours.

The Washington Post

Its unemployment rate is lower than Britain's.

The Economist

The cost of motoring now is lower than for years".

The Guardian

American life expectancy is lower than the Western average.

The New Yorker

"You feel your status is lower than everyone else".

The New York Times

This rate, however, is lower than in much of Europe.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is lower than", ensure the comparison is clear and the units being compared are consistent (e.g., comparing percentages with percentages, not with absolute numbers).

Common error

Avoid using plural subjects with "is lower than". If comparing multiple items, use "are lower than" instead of "is lower than".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is lower than" functions as a comparative, primarily used to indicate that one value, quantity, or level is less than another. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is lower than" is a commonly used and grammatically sound comparative phrase used to establish that one quantity or value is less than another. Ludwig AI confirms its broad acceptability. Analysis of numerous examples indicates that it is most frequently found in news and media and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the comparison is clear and that the items being compared are measured in consistent units. Remember to use "are lower than" for plural subjects. You can also use alternatives like "is less than" and "is beneath" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is less than

Direct synonym, expressing the same mathematical or comparative relationship.

is smaller than

Specifically refers to size or quantity being less.

is beneath

Implies a hierarchical or positional difference, where something is below something else.

is not as high as

An indirect way of saying that something is less than another, focusing on the height or level.

is inferior to

Suggests a lower quality or status compared to something else.

is under

Indicates a quantity or level that is below a certain threshold.

is secondary to

Implies a lower importance or priority compared to something else.

doesn't measure up to

Highlights a failure to reach a certain standard or level.

is dwarfed by

Highlights that one thing is much smaller or less significant than another.

is exceeded by

Emphasizes that one thing is surpassed by another, implying the reverse of "is lower than".

FAQs

What can I say instead of "is lower than"?

You can use alternatives like "is less than", "is beneath", or "is inferior to" depending on the context.

How to use "is lower than" in a sentence?

The phrase "is lower than" is used to compare two values or quantities, indicating that one is less than the other. For example, "The price of this item is lower than the price of that item".

Which is correct, "is lower than" or "is less than"?

Both "is lower than" and "is less than" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance. "Is lower than" can sometimes imply a physical or hierarchical relationship, while "is less than" is generally more abstract.

What's the difference between "is lower than" and "is below"?

"Is lower than" is a direct comparison of two quantities or values. "Is below" often implies a position relative to a reference point or threshold. For example, "The temperature is lower than yesterday's" vs. "The temperature is below freezing".