lower quality

USAGE SUMMARY

"lower quality" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when comparing two things or groups of things, and one is of lesser quality than the other. For example, "The education provided for children from lower-income families is often of lower quality compared to the education provided for children from higher-income families."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

"It's lower quality, and it costs more".

The New York Times

The result is lower quality output.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is going to be of a substantially lower quality.

The Guardian - Sport

Music downloads are of lower quality than store-bought CDs.

The New York Times - Tech

In other words, machines are getting cheaper and lower quality.

The Guardian - Tech

They also have a lower quality of sleep.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Lower-quality products with less privacy.

Harvard Business Review

Worse still, they can build smaller, lower-quality homes.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Those lower-quality companies are leading the charge here".

The New York Times

Pressed caviar is made from broken or lower-quality eggs.

The New York Times

Maybe bosses associate for-profits with lower-quality education, or perhaps with a lower-quality student body.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the quality of two items or services, clearly state both subjects to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "This is of "lower quality", say "This product is of "lower quality" than that one".

Common error

Avoid using "lower quality" when you intend to describe something as "cheap". While a cheaper product may sometimes be of "lower quality", this is not always the case, and the terms aren't interchangeable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lower quality" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it possesses a reduced or inferior standard compared to something else, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

30%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lower quality" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that is inferior or substandard compared to something else. As Ludwig AI pointed out, its function is primarily descriptive, allowing writers to objectively convey negative assessments. While generally neutral in register, its usage is particularly frequent in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using "lower quality", ensure that you clearly define what you're comparing and consider alternative phrases like "/s/inferior+quality" or "/s/substandard+quality" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inferior quality

Replaces "lower" with "inferior", emphasizing a substandard condition.

substandard quality

Substitutes "lower" with "substandard", highlighting the failure to meet a required level of quality.

poor quality

Uses "poor" instead of "lower", directly indicating a lack of quality.

reduced quality

Focuses on a reduction in quality from a previous state.

degraded quality

Highlights a decline in quality, implying a worsening condition.

deficient quality

Indicates that the quality is lacking or incomplete.

compromised quality

Suggests that the quality has been negatively affected or impaired.

diminished quality

Emphasizes a decrease in quality over time or compared to a standard.

lesser quality

Uses "lesser" as a direct synonym for "lower", indicating a smaller degree of quality.

second-rate quality

Implies that the quality is not the best and is of a lower standard than others.

FAQs

How can I use "lower quality" in a sentence?

You can use "lower quality" to compare items, such as: "The online course offered a /s/lower+quality education compared to the in-person program." You can also describe something specific: "The /s/lower+quality materials used in construction led to structural problems."

What are some alternatives to saying "lower quality"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "/s/inferior+quality", "/s/substandard+quality", or "/s/poor+quality". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to describe something as "lower quality"?

Yes, describing something as "lower quality" generally carries a negative connotation, implying that it is not as good as something else or does not meet a certain standard. However, in some instances, accepting a /s/reduced+quality version might be necessary or pragmatic.

What's the difference between "lower quality" and "low quality"?

"Lower quality" is generally used in comparison, suggesting something is of a lesser standard than something else. "Low quality" simply describes something as being of poor standard without necessarily comparing it to anything. They are often interchangeable, but the comparative aspect is emphasized with "lower quality".