significantly below

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "significantly below" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to express something that is extremely lower than something else. For example: "John's test score was significantly below the average score of the class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This found her basic salary fell "significantly below the median".

The Guardian

"Is England's score significantly below par?" asks Alan Synnott.

The Guardian - Sport

That was significantly below the American rate for manual machines.

The New York Times

The median here is 26, significantly below the Canadian median.

The Washington Post

Developmental levels of drawings were significantly below age-expected standards.

Epilepsy & Behavior

"We would expect our underlying results for 2009 to be significantly below our previous expectations".

The Guardian - Business

"We can price solar energy significantly below diesel-produced electricity," he claimed.

The Guardian

"Our cash requirements are significantly below what a lot of people have been guessing," he said.

The New York Times

The upshot was that full year results would be significantly below previous expectations.

The Guardian - Business

Our new town hall, purchased in 2003, was acquired at a price significantly below market value.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Significantly below-normal rain is expected in the region for a while.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "significantly below" to emphasize a notable and important difference, rather than a marginal one. This adds impact to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "significantly below" when the difference is only marginal or slight. Using it in such cases can exaggerate the situation and mislead the reader. Instead, opt for phrases like "slightly below" or "marginally under".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significantly below" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the degree to which something is less than another. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it accurately describes a substantial difference. It emphasizes the magnitude of the disparity, ensuring the reader understands the comparison is noteworthy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significantly below" is a widely used and grammatically sound phrase that effectively conveys a notable difference between two values. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. It is particularly common in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific publications. To ensure clarity, always provide a clear reference point when using the phrase and avoid using it for marginal differences. The related phrases offer alternative ways to express similar ideas with slight variations in emphasis. Its versatility and prevalence make it a valuable tool for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably lower than

Emphasizes a notable difference in degree, indicating a more substantial gap.

markedly beneath

Highlights a clear and easily noticeable difference in position or level.

substantially under

Focuses on a tangible and quantifiable difference, often used with numerical values.

noticeably less than

Indicates that the difference is easily perceived or observed.

distinctly inferior to

Highlights the clear and easily perceived difference in quality.

appreciably less than

Suggests a difference that is worth taking into account or is of some importance.

far short of

Emphasizes that it is missing a goal or standard.

well under

Indicates that it is clearly below a specific reference point.

considerably short of

Highlights that it has failed to reach a particular goal or standard.

way below

Suggests a large difference.

FAQs

How can I use "significantly below" in a sentence?

You can use "significantly below" to indicate that a value or measurement is considerably less than another. For instance, "The test scores were "significantly below" the national average".

What are some alternatives to saying "significantly below"?

Alternatives include "considerably lower than", "markedly beneath", or "substantially under", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "significantly below" or "slightly below"?

The choice depends on the degree of difference you want to emphasize. Use "significantly below" for substantial differences and "slightly below" for minor deviations.

What does it mean when something is "significantly below" a certain threshold?

It means that the value or measurement is considerably less than that threshold. For example, "If the temperature is "significantly below" freezing, precautions should be taken to prevent ice formation".