lower than even

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lower than even" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to emphasize something being lower than a previously mentioned low point or standard. Example: "The temperatures this winter have been lower than even last year's record lows."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

"That represents our cost, which is lower than even subsidized housing because we use volunteer labor".

The New York Times

This is lower than even the low end of previous estimates, which ranged from about $49 to $1,089.

The New York Times - Science

But few budget experts doubt that tax revenues are going to be lower than even the governor's conservative projections.

The New York Times

It is lower than even the 1999 Kosovo war, which was a relatively cautious campaign, with approximately 10% civilian casualties.

The Guardian

That is significantly lower than even the most conservative amount the USDA says is needed to feed a family.

The Washington Post

The levels of both are much lower during glacial periods, lower than even pre-industrial levels in the modern atmosphere.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Myanmar does too, though it starts from a lower base than even most developing economies.

The Economist

They are lower here than even the outer boroughs — and so values are pretty much guaranteed to rise".

The New York Times

Bad character names – insulting to the viewer's intelligence to a lower degree than even 'Carry-On' would stoop.

Independent

Odd chain saturated long-chain esters are present in lower concentrations than even long-chain saturated esters.

International Journal of Industrial Chemistry

Mr. Slome gives the example of a company in 2010 that was quoting significantly lower premiums than even the lowest standard rates.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lower than even", ensure that the baseline for comparison is clearly established. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the impact of the comparison. For example, clarify what the previous benchmark was.

Common error

Avoid using "lower than even" in contexts where a simpler comparative, such as "lower than", is sufficient. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound convoluted. Use it sparingly for emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lower than even" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to emphasize that something is not just low, but surprisingly or significantly lower than a reference point already considered low. Ludwig provides examples illustrating this function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lower than even" is a comparative phrase used to emphasize that something is significantly below an already low baseline. While Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase is acceptable, though not always the most elegant choice, it is important to use it judiciously. The phrase functions to highlight an unexpectedly low value or state, typically in neutral contexts such as news or analytical writing. As Ludwig's examples show, ensuring clarity and avoiding redundancy are key to effectively using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even lower than

This alternative rearranges the words for a slightly different emphasis, focusing on 'lower' before specifying 'even'.

less than even

This substitutes 'lower' with 'less', maintaining the core comparative meaning but with a different word choice.

below even

This version uses 'below' as a preposition indicating a level that is under a certain threshold.

lower still than

This phrase adds 'still' to emphasize the continuation of being lower than a reference point.

even more diminished than

This alternative replaces 'lower' with a more descriptive phrase 'more diminished', highlighting the reduction or decrease.

exceedingly lower than

This emphasizes the degree of lowness, positioning itself as a superlative comparison.

surprisingly lower than

Adding "surprisingly" alters it to express unexpected comparative.

markedly lower than

The degree of lower is now emphasized in the comparison, it is not just simply low, it is 'markedly'.

noticeably lower than

This alternative changes the phrase to emphasize that the degree of being 'lower' is so at a degree that can be 'noticed'.

considerably less than

Using the word 'considerably' alters it to express an important change in the scale of comparation, from 'lower' to 'less'.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "lower than even" to sound more natural?

Consider using phrases like "even lower than", "less than even", or simply "below" depending on the context for clarity and conciseness.

Is "lower than even" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "lower than even" can sometimes sound awkward. It's generally acceptable if used to emphasize a degree below an already low level. However, ensure the phrasing is clear and avoids redundancy.

When is it appropriate to use "lower than even"?

Use "lower than even" when you want to emphasize that something is surprisingly or significantly below a previously mentioned low point. For example, "The new estimate is lower than even the most pessimistic forecasts."

What's a common mistake to avoid when using "lower than even"?

Avoid using "lower than even" when a simpler comparison like "lower than" is sufficient. Overusing the phrase can make writing sound unnecessarily complex. Strive for clarity and conciseness.