narrowly less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "narrowly less than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing quantities or values that are close in measurement, indicating that one is slightly below the other. Example: "The final score was narrowly less than the previous record, falling just short of the championship title."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The detailed Land Use Survey by the Office for National Statistics in 2005 noted that the local authority area of Bournemouth had the third highest proportion of land taken up by domestic gardens, 34.6%, of the 326 districts in England; narrowly less than the London Boroughs of Harrow and Sutton at the time with 34.7% and 35.1%.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. McCain won the Republican primary here narrowly, receiving less than a third of the vote and narrowly defeating former Gov. Mike Huckabee of neighboring Arkansas.

The New York Times

Less Than Jake.

WikiHow

In 2008, Mary Jo Kilroy became the first Democrat elected in the district since 1982, when she narrowly (by less than 2,500 votes) defeated Republican Steve Stivers.

Huffington Post

[C4.] Mitsubishi Motors narrowly averted crisis less than a year ago by securing a $4.6 billion bailout, but it is again reaching for a lifeline.

The New York Times

While opinion polls show the remain side narrowly ahead, with less than three months to go before the in/out referendum on 23 June, No 10 remains concerned that high numbers of undecided voters could still back Brexit.

The Guardian

He was narrowly defeated by less than 400 votes, losing to Sir Samuel Romilly and Sir Francis Burdett.

Wikipedia

He faced J. Marshall Coleman, a Republican, in the 1989 gubernatorial race, narrowly defeating Mr. Coleman by less than a half-percent, a result that stood after a recount.

The New York Times

The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, a top nuclear scientist who narrowly avoided an assassination attempt less than two years ago, has been given a new post as the commander for nuclear and radioactive emergencies, the Iranian military announced Tuesday.

The New York Times

Value stocks posted a 3% gain for the first quarter of 2007, narrowly beating growth names by less than a percentage point, vs. a fractional gain for the traditional S&P 500.

Forbes

And while we're all in the process of reorganizing pop culture as we know it, turning upside down the very same structures that define "beauty" very narrowly and make women feel "less than," these are the small battles we fight, and our bodies are the battlefield.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "narrowly less than", ensure the context clearly establishes the basis of comparison. This phrase works best when highlighting a close relationship or near-equivalence between two values or quantities.

Common error

Avoid using "narrowly less than" when the difference is substantial. This phrase implies a slight difference, so using it for large discrepancies can mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "narrowly less than" functions as a comparative, indicating that one quantity or value is only slightly smaller than another. Ludwig examples confirm its use in contexts where precision and the degree of difference are important. The Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academic

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "narrowly less than" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a close comparison where one value is only slightly smaller than another. While relatively rare, as indicated by Ludwig, it finds application across various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. Alternatives like "slightly smaller than" or "just under" can offer similar meanings. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context accurately reflects the minor difference being highlighted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly smaller than

Emphasizes the small difference in size.

marginally below

Highlights that the value is just under a certain point.

just under

Simple and direct way to indicate a value is slightly less.

a tad lower than

Informal way of saying 'slightly less'.

fractionally less

Focuses on the tiny fraction by which it's less.

scarcely exceeding

Highlights the fact that the value is very close.

a hair's breadth below

Idiomatic expression indicating a very small difference.

barely under

Emphasizes the minimal margin.

not quite as much as

Rephrases the comparison to focus on quantity.

a shade under

Similar to 'a tad', but slightly more formal.

FAQs

How can I use "narrowly less than" in a sentence?

Use "narrowly less than" to compare two quantities that are very close. For example: "The runner's time was narrowly less than the world record."

What's a good alternative to "narrowly less than"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly smaller than", "just under", or "marginally below".

Is it correct to say "narrowly less than"?

Yes, "narrowly less than" is grammatically correct and conveys that one quantity is only slightly smaller than another.

What's the difference between "narrowly less than" and "significantly less than"?

"Narrowly less than" indicates a small difference, while "significantly less than" suggests a much larger difference. Use "narrowly less than" when the values are close and "significantly less than" when they are far apart.