lower

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lower" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as when referring to a position, level, or degree that is beneath something else. Example: "Please lower the volume on the speakers so we can hear each other better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Travel

Lifestyle

Money

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jan Crosby, the head of housing at KPMG, said: "These figures make for frightening reading and show that housing affordability is no longer just a problem for lower wage earners.

The Guardian - Business

Searching for savings at the end of its term in government, Labor said it was indefinitely deferring the already legislated changes because the floating carbon price was forecast to be far lower than originally calculated and families did not need as much compensation.

The Guardian

Instead, they typically pay lower interest rates on deposits than smaller banks do, and charge higher interest rates on loans.

The Economist

In retail banking, they haven't capitalized on the benefits of size (like lower borrowing costs) to cut prices for their customers, the way big retailers like Wal-Mart do.

The Economist

"During this depression, when the spirit of the people is lower than at any other time, it is a splendid thing that, for just 15 cents, an American can go to a movie and look at the smiling face of a baby and forget his troubles," Franklin D Roosevelt stated in 1935, referring to the world's biggest and littlest star.

The Guardian - Film

Obama pledged the law would lower premiums by up to $2,500 per year for a typical family by January 2013 and improve the economy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Today he had to admit that not only has he missed his debt target but that growth will be substantially lower than he forecast.

The Guardian - Opinion

Upstream capital spending edged lower last year, falling to $147.4bn as companies reacted to the surprise fall in the oil price, the first dip in upstream investments in at least nine years.

The Guardian

The small grey-bricked building in lower Manhattan looks like just another public (state) high school, but behind its light blue doors a new approach to education is being pioneered.

The Guardian

Lower these carefully into a pan of simmering water and poach for 4 minutes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Platinum refiner Johnson Matthey dropped 102p to £23.06 as third quarter profits fell 19% to £84.3m, hit by lower sales of catalytic converters for car exhaust systems in Europe and weak demand in Japan.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lower" to express a reduction in something measurable, such as prices, costs, or levels. For instance, "The company aimed to lower production costs by 10%."

Common error

Avoid using "lower" when "less" is more appropriate. "Lower" is typically used for things that can be physically or numerically reduced, while "less" is used for abstract or non-countable nouns. For example, say "less effort", not "lower effort".

Linguistic Context

The word "lower" primarily functions as a comparative adjective, indicating that something is at a level below something else. This is supported by Ludwig's AI analysis, which confirms its correct and usable grammatical status. The word can also function as a verb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Travel

10%

Sports

10%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "lower" is a versatile term commonly used as a comparative adjective to denote a reduction in quantity, quality, or position. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting its widespread applicability across various contexts, particularly in news and business. While semantically related to terms like "reduce" and "decrease", "lower" maintains its unique nuance in indicating relative diminishment. It's crucial to differentiate its usage from "less", ensuring it's applied to measurable or quantifiable aspects rather than abstract concepts. With its prevalence in authoritative sources and diverse applications, mastering the appropriate use of "lower" is vital for precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease

Refers to making something smaller in amount, degree, or intensity.

reduce

Implies bringing something to a smaller size, amount, or intensity.

diminish

Suggests a gradual decrease in size, importance, or intensity.

lessen

Indicates a reduction in degree, amount, or intensity.

decline

Implies a gradual decrease or deterioration.

drop

Indicates a sudden decrease or fall.

subside

Suggests a decrease in intensity or activity.

abate

Implies a reduction in something unpleasant or severe.

weaken

To become less powerful or effective.

depress

To push or pull something down.

FAQs

How can I use "lower" in a sentence?

"Lower" can be used to describe something that has been reduced in amount, intensity, or position. For example, "They decided to "lower the price" of the product to attract more customers." or "The temperature is "lower today" than yesterday."

What's the difference between "lower" and "less"?

"Lower" is generally used for countable or measurable items, such as prices or physical positions, while "less" is for non-countable or abstract concepts. For example, you'd say "lower costs" but "less effort".

What can I say instead of "lower"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "reduce", "decrease", or "diminish depending" on the context.

Is it correct to say "lower than" or "less than"?

Both "lower than" and "less than" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Lower than" is used for measurable or quantifiable things, while "less than" is used for abstract or non-countable things. For example, "The price is "lower than expected"" versus "There is "less than enough time"".