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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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men was lower

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "men was lower" is not correct in English.
It should be "men were lower" to agree in number. You can use the corrected phrase when discussing a comparison or a situation where the status or position of men is being evaluated in relation to something else. Example: "In the past, men were lower in the social hierarchy compared to women in certain cultures."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The sex ratio in 2011, at 908 women to 1000 men, was lower than the national figure of 933.

The mean age of men was lower than that of women (p = 0.0255).

The proportion of men was lower among ED patients (range: 44 45%) compared with H-GP-patients (range: 47 56%; table 1).

The mortality of readmitted men was lower than the mortality of readmitted woman; 77 men (17.2%) died vs 95 (25.1%) women (P = 0.00001).

The threshold in men was lower than in women, corresponding to a male prevalence that was almost twice that of females.

The mean age and BMI of these new patients were similar to those of patients who entered stage 1, although the proportion of men was lower (31.3%).

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

And the graduation rate of black men is lower than that of any other group.

News & Media

The New York Times

Viktor is scathing: "Life expectancy for Russian men is lower under Putin than under Stalin, and in North Korea.

(The numbers for Democratic men were lower, at 33 and 34percentt). Female Democrats also reported being more likely in the wake of the 2016 election to donate to political candidates and join political interest groups.

The long-term (30-year) risk estimates were similar for the 2 sexes generally; varied somewhat with age (in men, being lower for those 50 years of age); and, overall, exceeded 1 in 2 persons for overweight or more, 1 in 4 individuals for obesity, and 1 in 10 people for stage II obesity (BMI > or = 35 kg/m2) across different age groups.

The incidence in men is lower (Trombetti et al 2002).

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing groups, specify the metric being compared. Instead of just stating inferiority, say 'Men's average income was lower than women's' to provide clearer context.

Common error

Avoid using singular verb forms (was) with plural subjects (men). It is grammatically incorrect. Always use the plural form (were) when referring to multiple men. For example, use "men were less likely" instead of "men was less likely".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

60%

Authority and reliability

1.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "men was lower" is intended to function as a comparative statement, indicating a reduced state or position for men relative to something else. However, it fails to do so effectively due to grammatical inaccuracy. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "men was lower" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. The correct form is "men were lower." While the intention is to express a comparison indicating a reduction in status or quantity, the grammatical error undermines its effectiveness. Ludwig confirms its incorrectness. It's crucial to use the correct plural verb form to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity in communication. When expressing similar ideas, consider using alternative phrases such as "male participation decreased" or "the proportion of men declined" for more formal and precise statements.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "men was lower"?

The correct phrase is "men were lower". The verb must agree with the plural subject "men".

What does it mean to say "men were lower"?

It implies that men had a reduced status or quantity compared to something else. The context determines the specific meaning.

Are there alternatives to saying "men were lower"?

Yes, depending on the context you can use phrases like "male participation decreased", or "the proportion of men declined".

Which is correct, "men was lower" or "men were lower"?

"Men were lower" is grammatically correct. "Men was lower" is incorrect due to subject-verb disagreement.

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Most frequent sentences: