somewhat slower than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat slower than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare the speed of one thing to another, indicating that it is not as fast but still relatively close in speed. Example: "The new model is somewhat slower than the previous version, but it offers better features."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Mr. Fischer's tempos, over all, were somewhat slower than has become common in this work.

The New York Times - Arts

See articleChina's economy grew by 9.2% last year, which was somewhat slower than the 10.4% it chalked up in 2010.

The Economist

The results showed that she was a poor metabolizer in using the 2C19 enzyme and somewhat slower than normal for the 2D6 enzyme.

The New York Times

In the case of China it is how to maintain growth at around 7 per cent, somewhat slower than in recent years, and not let it dip further.

Independent

"The pace at which unemployment can fall further is likely to be somewhat slower than in the past few years and Bank staff expect unemployment to change little in the next few months," the report said.

The Guardian - Business

"I'm expecting long-term interest rates will continue to fall a bit, and the economy will continue to grow at a reasonable rate, but somewhat slower than we've been accustomed to during good times," he said.

The New York Times

Indeed, Mr. Bush's plan would increase Pentagon spending by about 30percentthroughgh 2007, a pace that is only somewhat slower than President Ronald Reagan's military buildup between 1981 and 1985, the largest ever during peace time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Household spending appears to be rising at a somewhat slower pace than earlier in the year.

The New York Times

But the Teezer has had a somewhat slower start than the reality stars of today.

The New York Times

In return, it would open itself to American banks, insurers and retailers, though on a somewhat slower timetable than in the recent trade agreement between China and the United States.

The New York Times

"With labor market slack being taken up at a somewhat slower pace than in previous years, scope for some further improvement in the labor market remaining, and inflation continuing to run below our 2% target, we chose to wait for further evidence of continued progress toward our objectives," Yellen said in September when explaining why the Fed chose not hike rates at that time.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing processes or rates, ensure that both subjects of comparison are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify which process is "somewhat slower than" which.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat slower than" without a clear reference point. Always specify what you are comparing the speed to, to ensure clarity and avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat slower than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that it possesses a quality (speed) to a lesser degree compared to another entity. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "somewhat slower than" is a common and grammatically correct comparative phrase used to describe a slight difference in speed or rate between two subjects. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for written English and is frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. While the difference it describes isn't drastic, clarity in specifying what's being compared is crucial. Alternatives like "slightly slower than" or "a bit slower than" can be used depending on the desired tone and degree of difference. Avoiding vague comparisons enhances clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slightly less rapid than

Replaces "somewhat" with "slightly" and "slower" with "less rapid", maintaining the comparative meaning with minor variation.

Marginally more gradual than

Substitutes "somewhat" with "marginally" and "slower" with "more gradual", altering the emphasis while preserving the comparison.

A little less fast than

Utilizes simpler terms like "a little" and "fast" instead of "somewhat" and "slower", making the comparison more straightforward.

Noticeably less brisk than

Replaces "somewhat" with "noticeably" and "slower" with "less brisk", indicating a more evident difference in speed.

A tad more leisurely compared to

Uses more informal language like "a tad" and "leisurely" instead of "somewhat" and "slower", changing the tone while keeping the core meaning.

Relatively less swift than

Uses "relatively" and "less swift" to indicate a reduced speed in comparison to something else, maintaining a formal tone.

Moderately more unhurried than

Employs "moderately" and "more unhurried" to convey a similar sense of reduced speed, with a slightly different connotation.

Somewhat more sluggish compared to

Substitutes "slower" with "more sluggish", implying a lack of energy or enthusiasm in the pace.

Comparatively more sedate than

Replaces "slower" with "more sedate", suggesting a calmer or more subdued pace in comparison.

Hardly as quick as

Expresses a similar comparison using a negative construction, indicating that something is not as fast as something else.

FAQs

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

Use "somewhat slower than" to compare the pace or rate of two things, indicating one is a little less fast. For example, "The new algorithm is "somewhat slower than" the previous version, but more accurate".

What are some alternatives to "somewhat slower than"?

Alternatives include "slightly slower than", "a bit slower than", or "marginally slower than" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "somewhat slower then" instead of "somewhat slower than"?

No, the correct phrase is "somewhat slower than". "Then" is used to indicate time, while "than" is used for comparison. Therefore, using "then" would be grammatically incorrect.

What does "somewhat slower than" imply about the difference in speed?

It suggests that the difference in speed is not significant or drastic. The term "somewhat" indicates a slight or moderate difference, not a major one.