less than zero

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than zero" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in mathematical or financial contexts to indicate a value that is below zero. Example: "The company's profits were less than zero last quarter, indicating a significant loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It reminds me of Less Than Zero.

The Guardian - Books

"Imperial Bedrooms" is more violent than "Less Than Zero".

The New York Times - Books

But the pampered, nihilistic wasteland of Brett Easton Ellis's novel Less Than Zero it is not.

The Guardian

I remember one of them bringing "Less Than Zero" to an English seminar.

The New Yorker

Think Barton Fink meets Less Than Zero.

Vice

Bret Easton Ellis: "Less Than Zero" (1985).

Los Angeles Times

"That sounds awfully lofty". Already, "Less Than Zero" has been optioned by a Hollywood producer.

Los Angeles Times

Less than zero.

The New York Times

Or less than zero.

The Guardian - Sport

In fact, less than zero.

The Guardian - Money

"What is less than zero?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less than zero" in mathematical or scientific contexts, ensure the units of measurement are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The temperature was less than zero degrees Celsius".

Common error

Avoid using "less than zero" in situations where you mean 'almost nothing' or 'very little' in a subjective sense. Using a phrase like "negligible" or "minimal" can provide a more appropriate expression in such scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than zero" functions primarily as a quantifier, specifying a value that is negative. It's typically used in mathematical, scientific, or financial contexts to indicate a value below the zero point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less than zero" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a negative quantity or value. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's particularly prevalent in mathematical, scientific, and financial contexts, conveying that something is below a defined baseline. While versatile, it's important to use "less than zero" accurately, avoiding subjective interpretations. Alternatives like ""below zero"" or "negative value" can be used depending on the specific context. Ensuring the units of measurement are clear is crucial for avoiding ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

below zero

Indicates a quantity or value that is lower than zero.

negative value

Refers to a numerical quantity that is less than zero.

less than nothing

Emphasizes the insignificance or lack of something.

in the negative

Describes a financial or numerical state that is below zero.

not exceeding zero

Specifies an upper limit that does not go above zero.

approaching zero from below

Describes a value trending toward zero from the negative side.

a deficit

Implies a shortfall or amount below what is required.

an absence of

Denotes a complete lack of something, similar to having less than zero.

a dearth of

Signifies a scarcity or deficiency of something.

insufficient

Indicates that something is not enough or falls short of a required amount.

FAQs

How do I use "less than zero" in a sentence?

Use "less than zero" to describe a quantity or value that is negative, such as "The account balance was "below zero"" or "The temperature dropped to "negative values"".

What can I say instead of "less than zero"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""below zero"", "negative value", or "in the red" (for financial contexts).

Is it correct to say "smaller than zero" instead of "less than zero"?

While "smaller than zero" is technically understandable, "less than zero" is the more common and mathematically precise way to express a negative quantity.

What's the difference between "less than zero" and "equal to zero"?

"Less than zero" indicates a negative value, while "equal to zero" means there is no value or quantity. For example, a temperature of "less than zero" degrees is below freezing, while a temperature of "equal to zero" degrees is at freezing.