slower than the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slower than the" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare the speed of two things. For example: "The tortoise moved slower than the hare."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

slower than the systemwide speed limit.

The New York Times

But Hamilton's recovery has been slower than the team anticipated.

The New York Times - Sports

She was even slower than the Times to acknowledge this.

The New Yorker

London to Manchester would be far slower than the train.

The Guardian - Tech

The elderly performed all tasks slower than the young subjects.

Gait & Posture

That's 29% slower than the rate he normally scores at.

The Guardian - Sport

The inward calcium current is slower than the sodium current.

Britannica

Concatenated motifs translocate slower than the motifs alone.

Biophysical Journal

This slower than the virus response needs to change.

The Guardian

One day moved slower than the previous day.

The New York Times

The former fluctuations are much slower than the latter ones.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slower than the", ensure that you are comparing two specific entities or actions, making the comparison clear and unambiguous. For instance, 'His progress was slower than the average recovery rate'.

Common error

Avoid using "slower than the" without a clear point of comparison. Saying something is "slower than the" without specifying what it's being compared to creates a vague and confusing statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slower than the" primarily functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It serves to indicate that one entity or action possesses a lower speed or velocity relative to another. This is evident from Ludwig's examples, showcasing its role in contrasting speeds across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

35%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slower than the" is a common and grammatically correct comparative phrase used to indicate a difference in speed or velocity. It's prevalent across various contexts, including news, science, and academic writing, as shown by Ludwig's examples. Ensure clarity by specifying the points of comparison when using this phrase, and consider alternatives like "not as fast as" for stylistic variation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is a standard comparative expression and presents no structural or semantic ambiguities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Less rapid than

Uses the synonym 'rapid' instead of 'fast' or 'quick'.

Not as quick as

Directly contrasts quickness rather than overall speed.

Not as fast as

Employs a negative construction to convey a similar comparison of speed.

Lagging behind in speed

Indicates a deficiency in speed relative to something else.

Moving at a reduced pace compared to

Uses a more descriptive and formal way to express reduced speed.

At a more leisurely pace than

Indicates a relaxed or unhurried pace in comparison.

Operating at a diminished velocity than

Replaces common terms with more technical vocabulary to express a reduction in speed.

Crawling in comparison to

Implies a very slow pace relative to the comparison point.

More sedate than

Emphasizes a calm and unhurried pace.

Outpaced by

Focuses on the aspect of being overtaken due to a lack of speed.

FAQs

How can I use "slower than the" in a sentence?

Use "slower than the" to compare the speeds of two things. For example, "The train was "slower than the" car" or "His reaction time was "slower than the" average player".

What is a more formal alternative to "slower than the"?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "less rapid than the" or "operating at a diminished velocity than the" for a more technical tone.

What's the difference between "slower than the" and "not as fast as"?

"Slower than the" directly compares speeds, while "not as fast as" implies a lack of speed relative to something else. They are largely interchangeable, but "not as fast as" can sometimes carry a slightly less formal tone.

Is it always necessary to specify what something is "slower than the"?

Yes, for clarity. Failing to provide a comparison point makes the statement vague and uninformative. You should always specify what you're comparing the speed to for the statement to be meaningful.