low on the scale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "low on the scale" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a position or ranking that is at the lower end of a measurement or evaluation system. Example: "In terms of customer satisfaction, our service is currently low on the scale compared to our competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Personality tests ranked low on the scale – they were only one-third as predictive as cognitive exams, and also far below reference checks.

The Guardian

Originally, she answered low on the scale for eating meat.

The New York Times

(Opera was so low on the scale of musical goodness it was not worth mentioning).

The New Yorker

Most of these storms rate low on the scale used to measure intensity.

The New York Times

People we might colloquially describe as calm are classified as low on the scale of neuroticism — a scale everyone is measured on, to a greater or lesser degree.

The New York Times

In addition, "from a cachet standpoint, Danbury is low on the scale relative to the rest of the county," Mr. Shapiro said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The level is the second lowest on the scale.

The Guardian

Those rated lowest on the scale are given intensive coaching and, if they fail to improve, can be dismissed as soon as the end of the school year.

The New York Times

Some of the police intelligence on Mark Duggan was graded E, the lowest on the scale the police use to grade accuracy.

BBC

The game ranked low on the Linsanity scale, but no one was complaining.

The New York Times - Sports

The inflation of low values on the scale and undervaluing of higher values by entrepreneurs, has essentially compressed the actual unobserved scale for this subgroup.

IZA Journal of Migration

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "low on the scale", ensure the scale or measurement being referenced is clearly defined. This provides context and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "low on the scale" without specifying what scale you're referring to. For instance, instead of saying "their motivation was low on the scale", specify "their motivation was low on the scale of employee engagement."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "low on the scale" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a relative position or ranking on a defined spectrum. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "low on the scale" effectively communicates a subordinate position within a specific ranking or evaluation system. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct and usable phrase in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, notably news and science, indicating versatility. The phrase is generally neutral in tone and requires a clearly defined scale to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "at the bottom of the scale" or "ranked low on the scale" offer subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the bottom of the scale

Replaces "low" with "bottom", emphasizing the lowest possible position.

ranked low on the scale

Uses "ranked" as a verb to explicitly indicate a ranking.

at the lower end of the scale

Emphasizes the "end" of the scale, rather than just a general position.

near the bottom of the scale

Adds a degree of approximation, suggesting it's close to the lowest point.

relatively low on the scale

Introduces a sense of comparison to something else.

scoring low on the scale

Focuses on a numerical score rather than a general position.

registering low on the scale

Implies the result of a measurement or assessment.

on the lower side of the scale

Highlights the position as being on the "side" or part of the scale.

towards the lower end of the scale

Similar to 'at the lower end' but less definitive, implying movement or direction.

inferior on the scale

Uses the adjective "inferior" to indicate lower quality or rank.

FAQs

How can I use "low on the scale" in a sentence?

You can use "low on the scale" to indicate a relatively inferior position or ranking. For example, "Personality tests ranked "low on the scale" in predictive value."

What's a good alternative to "low on the scale"?

Alternatives include "at the bottom of the scale", or "ranked low on the scale", depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

What does it mean to be "low on the scale"?

Being "low on the scale" means that something is positioned at the lower end of a particular spectrum, hierarchy, or measurement system. It implies a relative deficiency or inferiority compared to other points on that scale.

Is it always negative to be "low on the scale"?

Not necessarily. Whether it's negative depends on the context and what the scale measures. For example, being "low on the scale of neuroticism" might be considered positive, whereas being "low on the scale of academic achievement" could be seen as negative.