slower than two

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slower than two" is not correct in standard English and lacks clarity.
It may be intended to compare speed but does not provide a clear reference point for what "two" signifies. Example: "The car was slower than two, but I couldn't tell what that meant."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Without breaking a sweat, the so-called work-walker can burn an estimated 100 to 130 calories an hour at speeds slower than two miles an hour, Mayo research shows.

The New York Times - Health

"If you're going to run a marathon under two hours and 10 minutes, then yes, you probably need lots of carbohydrate to be able to perform to such an intense level of activity, but once you're slower than two and a half hours, I'm not really convinced you do".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The car was traveling slower than two miles per hour at the time of impact — the bus, about 15 mph.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

We go no slower than four miles an hour through an alternate-history United States in The Long Walk.

The Guardian - Books

One-third of the way through the course, he was 38 seconds behind Cancellara and slower than six other riders.

The New York Times - Sports

Racing in the "man one" position, she clocked 18.857 – slower than four years previously – as her Rio dream came to an end.

The Guardian - Sport

Running for less than 51 minutes a week – or about seven minutes a day - fewer than six miles, or slower than six miles an hour all reduced the chances of dying.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Early on, the characters discuss the Doherty Threshold, a concept they describe as the speed at which a computer responds to the user's fingertips: slower than four hundred milliseconds, and users will get frustrated and quit; faster, and they'll be hooked.

The New Yorker

The growth rate of the local specialists (0.41 mm · y−1) was slower than three other groups, and their mortality (1.73% · y−1) was relatively high.

Forest Ecosystems

"Moscow will be a championship race and will be a lot slower than one of the major city marathons, I would imagine.

BBC

As a result, a clock at lower altitude and, hence, lower gravitational energy, should run slower than one at higher altitude by about 3 microseconds per year per kilometer of elevation.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "slower than two", always specify the units of measurement to avoid ambiguity. For example, "slower than two miles per hour" is clearer than simply "slower than two".

Common error

Avoid using "slower than two" without specifying what the 'two' refers to. Without context, it's unclear whether you're comparing speed, growth rate, or something else entirely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slower than two" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It describes a state of being less fast than a specified value, though the value lacks explicit units. Ludwig AI identifies this lack of clarity as a potential issue.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "slower than two" appears in various contexts, primarily news, science and wikis, Ludwig AI points out that it is grammatically incorrect, vague and lacks context. It functions as a comparative phrase but requires specific units of measurement (e.g., miles per hour) to be clear and precise. To enhance clarity, consider alternatives like "less than two" or rephrasing to include the units of measurement. Omitting the units makes it difficult to understand. Always provide context when using this phrase to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less than two

Focuses on numerical comparison, specifying that a value is below the number two.

not as fast as two

Emphasizes the comparison of speed relative to a value represented by 'two'.

slower than a rate of two

Clarifies that the comparison is against a rate or pace quantified by 'two'.

below two in speed

Positions the object of comparison under a threshold of speed designated as 'two'.

slower than a level of two

Implies a comparison against a defined level or standard quantified as 'two'.

lower speed than two

Highlights the disparity in speed relative to a measure indicated by 'two'.

slower-paced than two

Specifies that the comparison is in terms of pace or tempo, against a benchmark of 'two'.

slower in comparison to two

More explicitly states that a speed is lower when compared with the value of two.

not exceeding two in speed

Indicates a speed that does not surpass the limit of 'two'.

below the speed of two

States directly that the speed is lower than the value 'two'.

FAQs

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

To use "slower than two" correctly, provide a unit of measurement. For example, "The car was traveling "slower than two miles per hour"." Without a unit, the comparison is unclear.

What does "slower than two" mean?

"Slower than two" indicates that something's speed or rate is less than a certain value, typically measured in a specific unit (e.g., miles per hour, millimeters per year). The absence of specified units makes it vague.

What's a more precise way to say "slower than two"?

To be more precise, specify the units being measured. Instead of "slower than two", you could say "slower than two kilometers per second" or "slower than two revolutions per minute", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "slower than two"?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "slower than two" is often vague and lacks context. For clear communication, it's best to include the units of measurement for comparison. For example, the growth rate was "slower than two millimeters per year".