is substantially below

USAGE SUMMARY

"is substantially below" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a numerical quantity being much less than what is expected or usual. For example, "The amount of rainfall last month is substantially below the average for the year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

"The Property's value established by the VAB does not represent, and is substantially below, the Property's just and fair market value as of January 1 , 2014" according to Singh's lawsuit, which is being handled by Orlando attorney Kenneth Hazouri.

Los Angeles Times

But that is substantially below the stock's intraday high of $76.375, which it reached in July 1999.

The New York Times

This is substantially below market expectations, which ranged from £1.8bn to £2.2bn, and a huge fall on the £3.3bn profits recorded last year.

The Guardian - Business

"The league is substantially below the salary cap, so it's not like they're going to take that money and give it to the veterans," Condon said.

The New York Times - Sports

Only mortgage payments as a percentage of income, which is substantially below long-term trend levels, support the concept of Help to Buy.

The Guardian - Money

The pressure measured in the small pleural space so created is substantially below atmospheric pressure at a time when the pressure within the lung itself equals atmospheric pressure.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

In the case of the information services department, they are substantially below what you would expect.

The New York Times

While they are typical for South Shore areas, they are substantially below prices in most North Shore Nassau communities.

The New York Times

That would be substantially below the threshold of 90% or more needed for a weapon.

The Guardian

In recent years, stock market returns have been so poor that the sums built up into individual pension pots have been substantially below expectations.

The Guardian - Money

ALTHOUGH no one would specify Mr. Ashkenazy's salary, Mr. Parrott said that "his fees are substantially below his international level, but they are at least honorable".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is substantially below", ensure you provide a clear reference point for comparison to emphasize the magnitude of the difference. For example, instead of "The budget is substantially below", write "The budget is substantially below last year's allocation."

Common error

Avoid using "is substantially below" without a clear point of comparison. Vague statements like "Performance is substantially below" lack context. Always specify what it is below, such as "Performance is substantially below projected targets."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is substantially below" functions as a comparative expression, indicating that one quantity or value is significantly less than another. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound and common across diverse writing styles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is substantially below" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that one quantity or value is significantly less than another. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across various contexts. It's crucial to provide a clear reference point for comparison and avoid vague statements. Semantically similar alternatives include "is significantly lower than" and "is considerably less than". The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Frequency analysis shows it's commonly found in scientific, news, and business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is substantially less than

Synonymous alternative using the same intensity adverb.

is significantly lower than

Emphasizes the difference in a more direct way.

is considerably less than

Highlights the reduced amount or degree.

is a good deal lower than

Similar meaning using a more conversational tone.

is markedly inferior to

Focuses on a notable difference in quality or performance.

is appreciably less than

Highlights an observable and noteworthy difference.

is far beneath

Suggests a greater distance or disparity from a certain level.

is distinctly under

Highlights a noticeable difference using a synonymous intensity adverb.

is well under

Indicates a quantity that does not reach a specific threshold.

falls significantly short of

Highlights the failure to meet a target or expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "is substantially below" in a sentence?

Use "is substantially below" to indicate that a value or amount is significantly less than another. For example, "The company's profit this quarter "is substantially below" analysts' expectations."

What are some alternatives to "is substantially below"?

You can use phrases like "is significantly lower than", "is considerably less than", or "is markedly inferior to" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "is substantially below" in formal writing?

"Is substantially below" is suitable for formal writing when you need to clearly and objectively express a significant difference in numerical values or measurable quantities. For example, in a scientific report or a business analysis.

What's the difference between "is substantially below" and "is slightly below"?

"Is substantially below" indicates a significant difference, while "is slightly below" indicates a minor difference. The choice depends on the magnitude of the difference you want to convey.