not lower than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'not lower than' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used in comparative contexts to indicate that one thing is not as low or inferior as another. For example, "Our standards of quality must not be lower than international standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You fulfill this requirement by passing, with a grade not lower than C− or P, an American Cultures course.

University of California, Berkeley

A set is three or four cards of the same rank but not lower than 10s.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Turkey can negotiate duties with Malaysia on industrialised products provided they are not lower than those applied by EU.

The Guardian - Opinion

The wear rate of the coated specimens was generally higher not lower than the uncoated controls, but not multiply so.

Operative Techniques in Orthopaedics

The poling temperature should be at least not lower than the glass transition temperature for the δ-process.

Polymer

On a per-person basis, Medicare's true administrative costs are not lower than those of private plans.

The New York Times

Still, monthly payments are lower with a 50-year loan than on a 40-year loan, although not lower than the initial period of an interest-only loan.

The New York Times

After examining the records, he found that overall food output in Bengal in 1943 was not lower than in 1941, when there was no famine.

The Guardian - Books

"As per body count and reports from the field, the enemy suffered fatalities not lower than 100," Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu, the military commander in the south, said.

The New York Times

Power and efficiency of the engine must be not lower than their averaged values for the same engine working in unsteady conditions.

Energy

Reduced bunch lengths are used to make sure that the obtained luminosities are not lower than those of the ILC RDR configuration.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not lower than" to clearly define minimum requirements or standards in a specific context. For example, "The temperature must be maintained at not lower than 20 degrees Celsius."

Common error

Ensure that you are comparing like with like. Avoid statements where the comparison is ambiguous or illogical. For example, instead of saying "The price should not be lower than quality", specify "The price should not be lower than the cost of materials."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not lower than" functions as a comparative term. It establishes a minimum threshold or standard for a particular attribute or value. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not lower than" is a versatile phrase used to establish a minimum standard or requirement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically sound and commonly used across various domains. Its function is to set a lower limit, ensuring quality and performance standards are met. While adaptable to multiple settings, it's most prevalent in scientific, news, and academic contexts. Remember to use it precisely to avoid ambiguous comparisons and maintain clarity in your writing. Alternatives such as "no less than" or "at least as high as" can add variety, but understanding the slight differences in their connotations is important.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no less than

Emphasizes a minimum quantity or degree, implying a baseline.

at a minimum of

Highlights the lowest acceptable value or condition.

at least as high as

Indicates a minimum level or value, emphasizing the lower boundary.

equal to or greater than

Specifies a range, including the minimum value and any value above it.

exceeding or matching

Indicates a value that is either higher than or the same as a reference point.

not beneath

Suggests a level or position that is equal or superior.

no smaller than

Implies a comparison where the size or magnitude is equal or greater.

equivalent or surpassing

Expresses that something is either equal or superior to something else.

not under

Indicates a level or threshold that must be met or surpassed.

not less good than

Signifies that the quality is equal to or better.

FAQs

How can I use "not lower than" in a sentence?

The phrase "not lower than" is used to specify a minimum limit or standard. For example, "The grade must be not lower than C− to pass the course."

What's a more formal alternative to "not lower than"?

A more formal alternative could be "at least as high as" or "no less than". For instance, instead of "The payment should be not lower than 100$", you could say "The payment should be "no less than" 100$".

Is "not lower than" the same as "greater than or equal to"?

Yes, "not lower than" is semantically equivalent to "greater than or equal to". They both indicate a minimum value that must be met or exceeded. Both phrases indicate a minimum value, but the former is used more in a formal sentence while the latter, "greater than or equal to", is generally used in maths or stats.

Which is correct: "not lower than" or "no lower than"?

Both "not lower than" and "no lower than" are grammatically correct, but "not lower than" is more common and generally preferred in formal writing. Both sentences are valid to use in any context.