much lower than

USAGE SUMMARY

"much lower than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an amount that is significantly smaller than another amount. For example, "The cost of the new computer was much lower than I had expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is much lower than previous estimates.

The Economist

That is much lower than previous estimates.

The Economist

Unemployment was much lower than now.

The New York Times

Activity was also much lower than a year ago.

The Economist

Our costs are much lower than yours".

The Guardian

Heard went much lower than expected.

The New York Times - Sports

PVR penetration is still much lower than broadband penetration.

The Guardian

Postmodern Eurotrash doesn't sink much lower than this.

The New York Times - Arts

Unemployment is much lower than had been expected.

The Guardian - Opinion

(Which is much lower than "81percentt see lids lifted").

The New York Times - Magazine

"So my sophistication was much lower than this".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "much lower than" to emphasize a significant difference between two values or quantities. For instance, 'The inflation rate this year is "much lower than" last year's rate', indicates a notable decrease.

Common error

Avoid using multiple intensifiers unnecessarily. Saying 'far "much lower than"' is redundant. Stick to "much lower than" for clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much lower than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that its value or quantity is significantly less than something else. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples demonstrating its use in comparisons.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "much lower than" is a comparative phrase used to emphasize a significant difference between two quantities or values. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure you aim to highlight a notable disparity and avoid unnecessary intensifiers. Alternatives like "significantly less than" or "considerably smaller than" can be used for variety. The phrase maintains a neutral tone, making it suitable for diverse audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly less than

Emphasizes the degree of difference, highlighting that the first item is considerably smaller.

considerably smaller than

Similar to 'significantly less than', it stresses a notable difference in size.

substantially reduced compared to

Focuses on the reduction aspect, indicating a significant decrease from a previous state or another item.

markedly inferior to

Highlights a lower quality or status, suggesting a clear disadvantage.

appreciably below

Implies that the difference is noticeable and measurable.

notably beneath

Indicates that something is clearly below a certain level or standard.

distinctly under

Emphasizes a clear and easily observable difference in quantity or level.

measurably less than

Highlights that the disparity is quantifiable and not just a subjective impression.

noticeably shorter than

Specifically refers to a difference in length or duration that is easy to see or perceive.

relatively lower than

Suggests a comparison within a specific context or group, indicating that something is lower in that particular setting.

FAQs

How can I use "much lower than" in a sentence?

Use "much lower than" to compare two quantities, emphasizing that one is significantly smaller. For example, "The cost of living here is "much lower than" in the city".

What are some alternatives to "much lower than"?

You can use phrases like "significantly less than", "considerably smaller than", or "substantially reduced compared to" as alternatives to "much lower than", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "much more lower than"?

No, "much more lower than" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "much lower than", as "lower" already implies a comparative degree.

What's the difference between "lower than" and "much lower than"?

"Lower than" indicates a simple comparison, while "much lower than" emphasizes a significant difference between the two values being compared.