slashed to less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slashed to less than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant reduction in quantity, value, or size, often in a financial or statistical context. Example: "The budget was slashed to less than half of what it was last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Then, an unofficial count by The Associated Press suggested his lead was slashed to less than half that.

The New York Times

Or the fear of having their company go on public assistance, in which case, thanks to Obama, their welfare payment will be slashed to less than $10,000 a week?

The New Yorker

In May's inflation report, it forecast that the economy would grow by 2.3% this year, but economists believe this could now be slashed to less than 1%, which would be the largest downgrade in the Bank's forecasts between inflation reports since it became independent in 1997.

The Guardian - Money

GM says its price tag would be a fifth of that on a conventional car, with running costs slashed to less than a third.

BBC

At one time, several million elephants roamed the African continent, they noted, but their numbers have been slashed to less than 500,000.

Science Magazine

In its editorial, the Denver Post editorial board wrote that in recent years its staff has been slashed to less than 100 from more than 250 — and that's before a layoff of 30, which is supposed to be completed by July.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The Independent, Independent on Sunday and 20p stablemate i slashed losses to less than £12m last year – and are on track to fall below £5m this year.

The Guardian

His 2009 amnesty programme ostensibly pacified rebels whose siphoning of oil pipelines – alongside kidnappings and bombings – sometimes slashed output to less than a quarter of the 2m barrels per day pumped in Africa's largest oil producer.

The Guardian

Oil fields were damaged in the war, slashing production to less than half of peak levels.

The New York Times

Since he was elected in October 1995, Mr. Mkapa, 84, has speeded up economic reforms, slashing inflation to less than 6percentt.

The New York Times

As a libertarian, I think the federal government does far too much, and if I had the power, I would slash spending to less than half what it is.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase when you want to emphasize the severity or suddenness of the reduction, as opposed to a gradual decline.

Common error

Avoid using "slashed to less than" for minor or insignificant reductions. This phrase implies a substantial and often dramatic decrease, so it's inappropriate for small adjustments. It's better to use other expressions as "reduced by a small amount".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slashed to less than" functions as a modifier, specifically describing the extent of a reduction. Ludwig confirms its use in indicating a decrease below a certain threshold.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slashed to less than" is a grammatically sound and usable expression employed to denote a significant reduction below a certain threshold. Ludwig AI affirms its validity. Predominantly found in neutral registers such as news and media, this phrase serves to emphasize a notable and often sudden decrease. It's essential to reserve its usage for substantial reductions, distinguishing it from gentler alternatives like "reduced to". Its effectiveness lies in conveying the magnitude of the change, making it particularly useful when describing budget cuts, cost reductions, or quantitative declines.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reduced to below

This alternative indicates a decrease to a level lower than a specified value.

Cut down to below

This alternative suggests a forceful or significant reduction to a level below a specified amount.

Decreased to under

This alternative emphasizes a decline to a level below a certain figure.

Diminished to below

This implies a lessening or reduction in size, extent, or degree to under a given threshold.

Lowered to under

This alternative suggests a reduction in level or amount to under a certain value.

Whittled down to under

This conveys a gradual reduction to below a specific quantity.

Trimmed to under

This indicates a slight reduction, often to remove excess, resulting in a value below a certain amount.

Scaled back to under

This suggests a reduction in scope or size to under a specific level.

Rolled back to under

This implies that something was forcefully reduced to a level below a certain value.

Marked down to under

Primarily used in the context of sales or pricing and suggest a forceful decrease to under a specific price.

FAQs

How can I use "slashed to less than" in a sentence?

Use "slashed to less than" to describe a significant reduction in something. For example, "The company's expenses were "slashed to less than" $1 million after restructuring."

What are some alternatives to "slashed to less than"?

Alternatives include phrases like "reduced to below", "cut down to below", or "decreased to under", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "slashed to less than" instead of "reduced to"?

"Slashed to less than" implies a more drastic and sudden reduction compared to the more general term "reduced to". Use "slashed" when you want to emphasize the severity of the cut.

Is "slashed to less than" appropriate for describing minor changes?

No, "slashed to less than" is not appropriate for minor changes. It conveys a significant and often abrupt decrease. For minor changes, use phrases like "slightly reduced" or "marginally decreased".