significantly less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significantly less than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare quantities, indicating that one amount is much smaller than another. Example: "The budget for this project is significantly less than what we had anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Women still earn significantly less than men.

The New York Times

Yes, that's significantly less than 100.

The New York Times

But technical instructors get paid significantly less than academics.

The Guardian

In fact, the workforce accounts for significantly less than half.

The Guardian

The chips weigh significantly less than a band.

The New York Times - Science

They are also paid significantly less than men on average.

The Economist

Significantly less than half of its engineers are women.

The New York Times - Tech

The May figure is significantly less than the $10 billion many analysts expected.

The New York Times

The 10s, he said, earned significantly less than the 8s and 9s.

The New York Times

Studies have found that fat white women tend to earn significantly less than their thinner counterparts.

The New York Times

"Most [MPs] claimed significantly less than the maximum budget limit," Ipsa said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing groups, use "significantly less than" to underscore a notable difference, ensuring clarity about the disparity in size or quantity. Always provide context for comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "less" with countable nouns; instead, use "fewer". For example, it's incorrect to say "less cars"; the correct phrase is "fewer cars". The phrase "significantly less than" works when referring to abstract concepts or non-countable nouns like money, time, or effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significantly less than" functions as a comparative expression, highlighting a substantial difference between two quantities or qualities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound way to indicate that one thing is notably smaller or lower than another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "significantly less than" is a grammatically correct and frequently used comparative expression across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. Ludwig confirms its grammatical soundness and wide applicability. It effectively conveys a notable disparity between two quantities or qualities, emphasizing that the difference is substantial. To enhance clarity, avoid using "less" with countable nouns; opt for "fewer" instead. When in doubt, alternative expressions like "considerably smaller than" or "noticeably fewer than" may offer subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Considerably smaller than

Emphasizes the size difference, suggesting a notable reduction in magnitude.

Substantially lower than

Focuses on the reduced value or level, indicating a significant decrease.

Significantly under

Emphasizes that a value or measurement is much below a certain threshold or benchmark.

Noticeably fewer than

Highlights the reduced quantity or count, implying that the difference is easily observed.

Distinctly less

Focuses on how two compared things are not the same, with an overtone about the difference in quantity.

Markedly inferior to

Implies a notable difference in quality or performance, suggesting a considerable downgrade.

Appreciably slighter than

Highlights a reduced level or degree, pointing out a difference that is easily estimated.

Measurably smaller

Suggests a difference that has been quantified and found to be smaller.

Far below

Indicates a position or level that is much lower than a reference point.

Well short of

Suggests a failure to reach a target or expectation by a considerable margin.

FAQs

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

You can use "significantly less than" to compare quantities or values, emphasizing that one is notably smaller than the other. For instance, "The cost of this option is significantly less than the alternative".

What are some alternatives to using "significantly less than"?

Alternatives include phrases like "considerably smaller than", "substantially lower than", or "noticeably fewer than", depending on the context. You can also try "far below" or "well short of".

Is "significantly less than" formal or informal?

"Significantly less than" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. It's a clear and direct way to express a notable difference in quantity or degree.

When should I use "fewer than" instead of "less than"?

Use "fewer than" when referring to countable items. For example, say "fewer than ten students" instead of "less than ten students". "Significantly less than" is suitable for non-countable quantities like time, money, or effort.