no lower than

USAGE SUMMARY

"no lower than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a threshold or limit. For example: "The temperature should not drop no lower than 18°C."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They thought they could negotiate the price, but it went no lower than $400,000.

The New York Times

But the prices are sometimes no lower than a deeply discounted regular air fare.

The New York Times - Travel

Our sales are no lower than last year; but the pattern of selling has changed.

The Guardian

Typical room temperature is fine, but go no lower than 60 degrees.

The Washington Post

A tackler under law must have his shoulders no lower than his hips entering the breakdown.

The Guardian - Sport

The consensus was for a rate no lower than 9.5 percent.

The New York Times

For exactly this reason, energy prices were no lower than Germany's even when we were self-sufficient.

The Guardian - Opinion

Wilpon has authorized a player payroll no lower than last season's, which was about $93 million on opening day.

The New York Times - Sports

They protest to raise the salaries of the Academy's hired help — low??but no lower than usual in Rome.

The New York Times

And home ownership levels in other affluent countries without such subsidies are generally no lower than in the United States.

The New York Times

Self-imposed human indignity can go no lower than this.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When establishing boundaries, clarify the units of measurement to prevent confusion. For example, "The temperature should be no lower than 20 degrees Celsius" is clearer than "The temperature should be "no lower than" 20".

Common error

Ensure your sentence structure clearly defines what is being compared. A vague comparison can lead to misinterpretations. For instance, instead of saying, "The cost should be "no lower than" competitors", specify "The cost should be "no lower than" the lowest price offered by competitors."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no lower than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, setting a minimum limit or threshold. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts to define boundaries or requirements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

29%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "no lower than" serves to establish a minimum limit or threshold, ensuring a certain standard is met. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. Alternatives like "at least" or "not less than" can be used, but "no lower than" provides a clear and direct way to define a lower boundary. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in your sentence structure and specify units of measurement to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not less than

Direct synonym, simply using different words to convey the same meaning.

at least

Expresses a minimum requirement, similar to setting a lower boundary.

a minimum of

Highlights the minimum quantity or level that is acceptable.

not under

Implies that something should not fall below a specific level or value.

no fewer than

Used for countable items, indicating a minimum quantity.

starting from

Suggests a base level or value, indicating that it can only go higher.

equal to or greater than

Formally specifies that something must be at least a certain value.

at a floor of

Emphasizes a lower limit or base value that should not be breached.

no less in value than

Focuses on ensuring that something is of equivalent or greater worth.

must be greater than or equal to

States a condition where the value should meet or exceed a certain threshold.

FAQs

How can I use "no lower than" in a sentence?

Use "no lower than" to specify a minimum threshold or limit. For example, "The score must be "no lower than" 70 to pass the exam."

What is an alternative to "no lower than"?

Alternatives include "at least", "not less than", or "a minimum of", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to use "no lower than" or "at least"?

"No lower than" is generally considered more formal than "at least", but both are acceptable in most contexts.

What's the difference between "no lower than" and "less than or equal to"?

"No lower than" establishes a minimum, while "less than or equal to" defines a maximum. They represent opposite ends of a spectrum.