less than a dollar

USAGE SUMMARY

"less than a dollar" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a small amount of money that is lower than one dollar. Example: "I only have a few coins in my pocket, but it's less than a dollar so I can't even buy a coffee."

✓ Grammatically correct

Health Research Policy and Systems

Independent

Duke University

The New York Times

The Washington Post

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This ranged from less than a dollar to more than US$5000 in the case of 20 patients.

Health Research Policy and Systems

The bank held less than a dollar in reserves for every $30 of its liabilities.

Independent

This equates to an annual income of $270, or less than a dollar a day.

Duke University

Most channels receive less than a dollar.

The New York Times

And all for less than a dollar.

The Washington Post

"Now it's less than a dollar".

The New York Times

The part cost less than a dollar.

The New York Times

A sack of twenty cookies cost less than a dollar.

The New Yorker

Now it is worth less than a dollar.

The Economist

A single dipstick costs less than a dollar to make.

The New York Times - Health

They fell to less than a dollar last year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing income or daily expenses, "less than a dollar a day" can powerfully illustrate extreme poverty.

Common error

Avoid using "less than a dollar" when a more general term like "inexpensive" or "cheap" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can sound awkward in casual conversation. Sometimes, just stating the specific cost (e.g., "It's only 99 cents") is more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than a dollar" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by describing its cost or value. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and commonly used. Examples from Ludwig show it describing the cost of goods, daily income, or the value of assets.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less than a dollar" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a small monetary value. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and widely applicable. Ludwig examples show its use across diverse contexts, from describing individual expenses to illustrating global poverty levels. While versatile, it’s important to consider context and audience when choosing to use "less than a dollar", ensuring clarity and avoiding overuse. Alternative phrases like "under a dollar" or "for pennies" can provide variety in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under a dollar

Direct synonym, emphasizing that the amount is below the one-dollar mark.

below a dollar

Similar to "under a dollar", stressing that the value does not reach one dollar.

a fraction of a dollar

Indicates a small portion of a dollar, suggesting a very low value.

for pennies

Highlights the inexpensive nature of something, using "pennies" as a symbol of low cost.

almost free

Suggests that the cost is so low it is nearly equivalent to getting something without charge.

next to nothing

Indicates that the cost is so minimal that it's hardly worth mentioning.

dirt cheap

Emphasizes the extreme cheapness of something, though not literally monetary.

cheap as chips

An informal idiom emphasizing the low price, more common in British English.

a pittance

Implies that the amount of money is very small and insignificant.

economical

Focuses on the cost-effectiveness of something, implying it's a good value for the price.

FAQs

How can I use "less than a dollar" in a sentence?

You can use "less than a dollar" to describe the price of an item, such as, "I bought this candy for "less than a dollar"". It can also describe a person's income, such as, "Many people in that country live on "less than a dollar" a day".

What are some synonyms for "less than a dollar"?

Alternatives include "under a dollar", "below a dollar", or "for pennies", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "lower than a dollar" instead of "less than a dollar"?

While "lower than a dollar" isn't grammatically incorrect, ""less than a dollar"" is the more common and natural-sounding phrase.

What's the difference between "less than a dollar" and "almost a dollar"?

"Less than a dollar" means the price is below $1.00. "Almost a dollar" suggests the price is close to $1.00, but still slightly less.