less than one volt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than one volt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to electrical measurements or specifications, indicating a voltage that is below one volt. Example: "The device operates efficiently at less than one volt, making it suitable for low-power applications."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Halfwave voltages of less than one volt have been realized for devices fabricated from these materials.

Synthetic Metals

Moreover, the new chips will consume less than one volt of electricity -- perhaps less than half of today's Intel microprocessors -- making it likely that within half a decade the world's fastest processors will be portable and perhaps even hand-held.

The New York Times

African weakly-electric fishes of the family Mormyridae are able to produce and perceive weak electric signals (typically less than one volt in amplitude) owing to the presence of a specialized, muscle-derived electric organ (EO) in their tail region.

BMC Genomics

The applied forward voltage is usually less than one volt, but the reverse critical voltage, called the breakdown voltage, can vary from less than one volt to many thousands of volts, depending on the impurity concentration of the junction and other device parameters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The applied forward voltage is typically less than one volt, but the reverse critical voltage, called the breakdown voltage, can vary from less than one volt to many thousands of volts, depending on the impurity concentration of the junction and other device parameters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

On average less than one hour!

Forbes

Using a source of carbon and nickel ions with energy ranging from a few tens to a few hundreds of electron volts, combined with an ultra-high vacuum scanning electron tunneling microscope, we have studied the formation of thin films for thicknesses equivalent to less than one atomic layer.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Even less than one second.

The New York Times - Sports

By less than one percent, says Walden.

University of California, Berkeley

It usually lasts less than one hour.

Harvard University

Less than one percent has been analyzed.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing electrical devices or circuits, specify the exact voltage range if precision is needed; otherwise, consider using broader terms like "low voltage" if the specific value is not critical.

Common error

Avoid using "volts" as a plural when referring to a range that includes values less than one. It's better to say "a voltage of less than one volt" rather than "voltages of less than one volts" to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than one volt" functions as a quantifying adjective phrase, modifying a noun (e.g., voltage, level, power) to indicate that the voltage is below a specific threshold. Ludwig shows the phrase used in scientific articles and news reports to describe technical specifications.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less than one volt" is a technical term used to specify a low voltage level, typically in scientific, engineering, and technical contexts. Ludwig's analysis shows that it's grammatically correct and primarily used to describe energy efficiency, safety, or specific operational characteristics of electronic devices. While ""less than one volt"" is technically accurate, "low voltage" is more commonly used in general contexts. The analyzed sources are mainly scientific publications, encyclopedia, and news outlets. Due to its specific application, its frequency is relatively rare. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and appropriate when precise voltage specifications are needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Below one volt

Uses a more common preposition, making it slightly more accessible than the original phrase.

Under one volt

Synonymous preposition offering similar meaning, focusing on a voltage threshold.

Sub-volt

This is a shorter, more technical term to indicate voltage levels below one volt.

Voltage less than one

A slightly more formal and verbose way of stating the measurement.

Less than 1V

Uses the symbol for volt and numeral '1' for shorthand.

Ultra-low voltage

Highlights an extremely low voltage level.

Low voltage

Broader term, implying very low but doesn't specify exact voltage magnitude.

Fraction of a volt

Emphasizes that the voltage is only a portion of a single volt.

Minimal voltage

Focuses on the very small amount of voltage present.

Operating at sub-one-volt levels

Indicates the phrase refers to the operative voltage capacity.

FAQs

How can I use "less than one volt" in a sentence?

You can use "less than one volt" to describe the operating voltage of a device, such as, "The microchip operates at "less than one volt" to conserve energy."

What is an alternative to saying "less than one volt"?

Alternatives include "below one volt", "under one volt", or the technical term "sub-volt". The choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

When is it important to specify "less than one volt"?

It is important to be specific when the exact voltage is critical for the function or safety of a device or system, such as in low-power electronics or specialized scientific equipment.

Which is more common: "less than one volt" or "low voltage"?

"Low voltage" is a more general and commonly used term. "Less than one volt" is more specific and is used when precision is needed. In comparison, electrical systems are often classified as low voltage when they operate at levels up to a few hundred volts.