low battery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "low battery" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a device's battery running out of power and needing to be recharged. For example: "My phone's battery died and now it is displaying a 'low battery' warning message."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I begin to tremble, and I can't tell whether it's from nerves or low battery.

The New Yorker

Some ingenious solutions have been devised (see below), but low battery power remains a constant headache.

The Guardian - Tech

A thin Ultrabook designed for low battery life and minimal fan use will probably not be the best choice.

The Guardian - Tech

On one floor, the high-pitched beep of a smoke detector with a low battery echoed through the halls.

The New York Times

Make sure the boxes are checked to activate alarms in both the "Low battery alarm" and "Critical battery alarm" areas.

The New York Times - Tech

The device can be set to vibrate or sound when a predetermined low battery level is reached.

The New York Times - Tech

A separate "low battery" mode is also available which will turn power-hungry features off to eke out even more time once the battery charge is below 20%.

The Guardian - Tech

There is also a power driver that allows the patient to see basic alarm warnings from the internal system, like low battery power.

The New York Times

It could even be a smoke alarm with a low battery, frequently reported to the museum by people worried a cricket is trapped in the house.

The New York Times - Science

I nod seriously, but inside my head there is nothing beyond a light pinging noise akin to the sound made by a smoke detector with a low battery.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

(Hot batteries lose power more quickly). The device can be set to vibrate or sound when a predetermined low battery level is reached.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about devices, specify the exact battery percentage. For example, instead of just saying "low battery", specify "battery at 15%".

Common error

Avoid vague wording, such as "almost dead". Use concrete terms like "battery at 5%" to give the reader a precise understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "low battery" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun (often implied, such as "warning", "indicator", or the device itself). Ludwig confirms this usage. It describes the state of a device's battery charge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

24%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "low battery" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a device's depleted power state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying an implied noun such as "warning" or "indicator". Usage is generally neutral, appearing across diverse sources from news media and scientific publications to wikis. While alternatives exist, such as "battery running low" or "dwindling battery", "low battery" is straightforward and widely understood. For clearer communication, consider specifying the battery percentage rather than relying on the general term "low battery".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

battery running low

Emphasizes the process of the battery's charge decreasing.

battery critically low

Highlights the urgency of the battery depletion.

dwindling battery

Suggests a gradual decrease in battery power.

depleted battery

Indicates that the battery is almost or completely empty.

power running out

Focuses on the lack of remaining power.

battery near empty

Specifies the battery's proximity to being completely discharged.

battery almost dead

Uses a more informal term to describe the battery's condition.

discharging battery

Describes the active process of the battery losing charge.

battery draining rapidly

Emphasizes the quick rate at which the battery is losing power.

power source diminishing

A more formal way of describing a decreasing power supply.

FAQs

How can I use "low battery" in a sentence?

You can use "low battery" to describe the state of a device's power level. For example, "My phone is showing a "low battery" warning, so I need to charge it."

What is a more formal way to say "low battery"?

A more formal alternative to "low battery" could be "battery level is low" or "power source is diminishing", depending on the context.

What does it mean when a device displays a "low battery" icon?

A "low battery" icon indicates that the device's battery is running out of power and needs to be recharged soon. It serves as a warning to prevent the device from shutting down unexpectedly.

Is it grammatically correct to say "battery is low" instead of "low battery"?

While both are understandable, ""low battery"" is more commonly used as an adjective phrase describing the battery's state, whereas "battery is low" is a complete sentence expressing the same idea.