somewhat lower

USAGE SUMMARY

"somewhat lower" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is lower to a certain degree, but not drastically so. Example: The prices of the new smartphones were somewhat lower than the previous model, but still higher than their competitors.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Other estimates are somewhat lower.

The New York Times

Prices are somewhat lower on the mesas.

The New York Times - Travel

The Bush administration may go somewhat lower.

The New York Times

Other cable channels had somewhat lower increases.

The New York Times

"The economy's growth potential is somewhat lower than we thought".

The New York Times

As a management brand, its history is somewhat lower profile.

The Guardian - Tech

Before the renovations, the rents were somewhat lower.

The New York Times

These deficits are somewhat lower than were forecast in February.

The New York Times

Usually American presidents have a somewhat lower reputation.

The New York Times

They have somewhat lower resolution, although still better than 720p.

The New York Times - Tech

In New Jersey, a plaintiff's hurdle is somewhat lower.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "somewhat lower" to indicate a moderate decrease without implying a significant drop. It's suitable when precision is not critical, and you want to convey a general sense of reduction.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat lower" when the difference is substantial or critical. For instance, if sales decreased by 50%, "significantly lower" or "much lower" would be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat lower" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase, used to describe the extent to which something is less than something else. It indicates a moderate degree of reduction or inferiority, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "somewhat lower" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase to indicate a moderate reduction or difference. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly employed across various domains like news, science, and business to express a noticeable but not drastic decrease. When writing, use "somewhat lower" to convey a moderate difference and avoid using it when describing significant discrepancies. Consider alternatives like "slightly reduced" or "marginally less" for slight nuances in meaning. Overall, this phrase is a versatile tool for precise and balanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat less

Uses a more general term for quantity and comparison.

slightly under

Highlights that the measure or value is a bit below the expected or target.

slightly reduced

Indicates a minimal degree of reduction; focuses on the action of reducing.

marginally less

Highlights that the difference is very small or insignificant.

fractionally decreased

Suggests an extremely small amount of reduction, almost negligible.

modestly diminished

Implies a reduction that is not substantial but still noticeable.

a touch below

Informal way of saying slightly below, less precise than other options.

mildly inferior

Focuses on the aspect of being less in quality or value, not just quantity.

a shade under

Suggests a very slight and almost imperceptible difference.

relatively smaller

Highlights that the size or quantity is less compared to something else.

FAQs

How can I use "somewhat lower" in a sentence?

You can use "somewhat lower" to describe a moderate decrease or reduction. For example, "The test scores were somewhat lower than last year's results."

What's the difference between "somewhat lower" and "much lower"?

"Somewhat lower" indicates a moderate reduction, while "much lower" implies a significant or substantial decrease. The choice depends on the degree of difference you want to convey.

Are there synonyms for "somewhat lower"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "slightly reduced", "marginally less", or "modestly diminished" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "somewhat lower" rather than "slightly lower"?

Both phrases indicate a small difference, but "somewhat lower" can suggest a slightly more noticeable difference than "slightly lower". Use "somewhat lower" when the reduction is perceptible but not dramatic.