much shallower than

USAGE SUMMARY

"much shallower than" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to compare two things that are of different depths, either literally or figuratively. For example, "The lake at the park is much shallower than the lake in the mountains."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

(Appalachian coal mines are typically much shallower than those in the West).

The New York Times

Plastic affected depth was much shallower than that obtained with larger spot sizes, due to rapid attenuation of shock waves.

Surface and Coatings Technology

The optimal mean flow depth for the maximal interrill erosion rates was <0.1 mm, which is much shallower than the widely reported 2 mm.

Journal of Hydrology

But he added that the pool of buyers was much shallower than it was a year ago, so he hoped to pick up some good deals soon.

The New York Times

The strain energy return capacity of the ankle extensor tendons increases with a mean exponent of ~1.0, which is much shallower than the exponent derived from interspecific analyses of hopping mammals (~1.4 1.9).

Harvard University

I think that many of my stories start with some strong experience that I can't totally process or speak about without reducing it to something much shallower than what I'm actually feeling.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

English Heritage has much shallower pockets than Lord Iveagh.

The Guardian

As I noted yesterday, the typical economic forecast at the time the stimulus was being crafted was for a much shallower recession than what the world actually experienced.

The Economist

In addition, the consistency between the change in measured stress and the change in seismicity in the Kamaishi regions suggests that the results of stress measurements, even those at a much shallower depth than the earthquake source fault, can be useful for understanding rupture-propagation behavior.

Nature

In this way, they obtain images as if they were taken at a much shallower depth than in reality.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Likewise, the result obtained for the fault mechanism of 1963 Çınarcık Earthquake showed normal fault mechanism with much shallower depth than estimated before.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and the level of formality required. While generally acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "considerably less deep than".

Common error

Avoid using "much shallower than" when comparing abstract concepts where 'depth' is not a relevant metric. For instance, avoid saying 'His understanding of the topic is much shallower than hers' if you mean 'less nuanced' or 'less comprehensive'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much shallower than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that its depth is significantly less compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical structure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "much shallower than" is a grammatically correct and commonly used comparative adjective phrase that serves to highlight a notable difference in depth between two subjects. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is generally used correctly in various contexts, ranging from scientific research to news reporting. While its neutral register makes it versatile, considering the specific audience and context can help writers choose the most effective phrasing. Remember to use precise language and avoid applying the phrase metaphorically when it doesn't accurately convey the intended meaning. By understanding its function, purpose, and common usage, writers can confidently incorporate "much shallower than" into their work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably less deep than

Replaces "much shallower" with "considerably less deep" for increased emphasis on the depth comparison.

significantly not as deep as

Uses "significantly not as deep as" to highlight a notable difference in depth.

noticeably less profound than

Employs "noticeably less profound than" to suggest the shallowness is easily observed or felt.

markedly not as deep when compared to

Adds "markedly not as deep when compared to" for a more formal tone, emphasizing the comparison.

palpably not deep compared to

Substitutes "much shallower" with "palpably not deep compared to" for a change in tone.

somewhat more superficial than

Uses "somewhat more superficial than" to suggest that QUERY is related with being on the surface or an outward appearance.

appreciably closer to the surface than

Replaces "much shallower" with "appreciably closer to the surface than", indicating less distance from the surface.

relatively superficial in comparison to

Expresses less depth using "relatively superficial in comparison to", providing a sense of proportion.

only skin deep as opposed to

Implies the subject is "only skin deep as opposed to" something that has more depth.

lacking depth in contrast to

Describes an absence of depth using "lacking depth in contrast to", highlighting the difference.

FAQs

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

You can use "much shallower than" to compare the depth of two things, whether literal depths (e.g., "This pool is "much shallower than" the ocean") or figurative depths (e.g., "His understanding of the issue is "much shallower than" hers").

What are some alternatives to saying "much shallower than"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "considerably less deep than", "significantly not as deep as", or "noticeably less profound than".

Is it appropriate to use "much shallower than" in formal writing?

Yes, "much shallower than" is generally acceptable in formal writing. However, for a more sophisticated tone, consider alternatives like "markedly not as deep when compared to".

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "much shallower than"?

Avoid using "much shallower than" if the comparison isn't about depth or profundity. For example, saying 'This book is "much shallower than" that one' to mean 'less complex' is not always appropriate; consider 'less intricate' or 'less developed' instead.