is not below

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not below" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not positioned lower than a certain point or standard, often in a comparative context. Example: "The temperature today is not below freezing, so we can go for a hike."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

It is important to note that the two indicators (MUAC and weight-for-height) do not always coincide [ 18], and therefore all children screened as severely malnourished on the basis of MUAC should be accepted and referred to the nearest hospital even if their weight-for-height is not below -3SD.

BMC Pediatrics

"Judges are people, too," Garner implored his students, and "hyphenating well, punctuating correctly, is not below your pay grade".

The New Yorker

They say the water system is not below the level needed to satisfy basic human needs or protect the health of its 12,000 customers.

The New York Times

Some say (only half in jest) that Exxon's real challenge now is not below ground, where its excellence is unsurpassed, but in managing "above-ground risks".

The Economist

But the newly revamped apartment is not below ground: his windows look out on an 80-by-20-foot 80-by-20-foot 80-by-20-foot 80-by-20-footmerous parties for his 4-year-old daughter, Olivia, and her friends.

The New York Times

It is common practice to design enclosed docks so that the normal water level maintained is not below the highest likely high tide because the invasion of an enclosed dock by a high tide significantly above the normal water level can be disastrous.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Those p-values were then randomly reassigned among the probes whose p-values were not below 0.05 in both the pre- and post-globin reduction data.

Plosone

Make sure undercut competitors is selected, if it wasn't below 1g then it should automatically be on a price.

WikiHow

He told his lead engineer, Ludvig Strigeus, a brilliant programmer he had worked with before, "I don't accept anything that isn't below two hundred milliseconds".

The New Yorker

Still, creating a park from a highway would be a boon to any neighborhood, even if the highway isn't below grade.

Columbia University

This movie isn't below the bottom of the barrel.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is not below" to clearly indicate a minimum threshold or acceptable level in technical specifications, legal documents, or scientific reports. This leaves no room for misinterpretation, ensuring that the required standard is met or exceeded.

Common error

Avoid using "is not below" when you intend to convey that something is significantly higher or better. The phrase only implies meeting a minimum requirement, not exceeding expectations. For instance, instead of saying "The quality of this product is not below average", use "The quality of this product is above average" to convey a superior level.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not below" functions as a predicate adjective clarifying a subject's status relative to a given threshold or minimum standard. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from scientific data to legal requirements, indicating that a certain level has been met or exceeded.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is not below" is a useful tool for setting a minimum standard or threshold. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and appears in diverse contexts, particularly in science, news, and encyclopedic sources. Remember to use "is not below" when you want to specify that a value meets or exceeds a certain level. For situations where you intend to say that the threshold has been largely exceeded, alternatives like "is above" or "is superior to" may be more appropriate. By understanding the specific meaning of "is not below", you can ensure precision and clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is at least

Focuses on the minimum acceptable level, implying that the value meets or exceeds a certain threshold.

is no less than

Emphasizes that the value is not smaller than a specific amount, highlighting a minimum requirement.

is greater than or equal to

Explicitly states the condition of being either greater than or equal to a certain value.

is not under

Indicates that something is positioned above rather than below a certain level or condition.

is above or equal to

Clearly indicates that the value is either above or at the same level as a specified point.

meets or exceeds

Highlights the achievement of a certain standard or requirement, implying a satisfactory level.

is on par with

Suggests that something is equal to or comparable to a particular level or standard.

is not beneath

Emphasizes that something is not in an inferior position or condition.

rises above

Indicates exceeding a specific level or limitation, often in a metaphorical sense.

is superior to or equal to

Highlights that the item is better or at least as good as something else.

FAQs

How can I use "is not below" in a sentence?

The phrase "is not below" indicates that something is at or above a certain level. For example, "The temperature today "is not below" 20 degrees Celsius" means the temperature is at least 20 degrees Celsius.

What's the difference between "is not below" and "is above"?

"Is not below" implies a minimum threshold has been met, including the threshold itself. "Is above", on the other hand, indicates that the threshold has been exceeded, excluding the threshold itself. For instance, if the requirement "is not below" 50, then 50 is acceptable. But if the requirement is above 50, then 50 isn't acceptable.

What are some alternatives to saying "is not below"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "is at least", "is no less than", or "is greater than or equal to" as alternatives to "is not below".

Which is correct, "is not below average" or "is above average"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they convey different meanings. "Is not below average" means that something is at or better than average, while "is above average" means it's better than average. The choice depends on whether you want to include the average as an acceptable level.