substantially below

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantially below" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is significantly lower than a certain standard or expectation. Example: "The temperature today is substantially below the average for this time of year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In the case of the information services department, they are substantially below what you would expect.

The New York Times

Worryingly, many low paid women are working substantially below their qualification and skill levels.

The Guardian

That would be substantially below the threshold of 90% or more needed for a weapon.

The Guardian

In the Barnett, holes go down six to eight thousand feet, substantially below the water table.

The New Yorker

And our college graduation rates have slipped substantially below those of other rich nations.

The New York Times

In 2007, the median household income for illegal immigrants was $36,000, substantially below the $50,000 median for citizens.

The New York Times

This does not mean we should only join the euro at an exchange rate substantially below current levels.

The Guardian - Opinion

While they are typical for South Shore areas, they are substantially below prices in most North Shore Nassau communities.

The New York Times

But that is substantially below the stock's intraday high of $76.375, which it reached in July 1999.

The New York Times

Many economists say they believe recovery will not come until the jobless rate falls substantially below its 10 percent level.

The New York Times

In recent years, stock market returns have been so poor that the sums built up into individual pension pots have been substantially below expectations.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantially below" to clearly communicate a significant difference or deficiency when comparing values or levels. It provides a more precise and impactful alternative to simply stating "below."

Common error

While "substantially below" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in casual writing or conversation. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "much lower" or "way under" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially below" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating the extent to which something is less than a specified value or benchmark. Ludwig AI data shows its frequent use in comparisons, highlighting significant discrepancies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "substantially below" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a significant reduction or deficiency compared to a specific standard or expectation. According to Ludwig AI, it's widely employed in both News & Media and scientific contexts to highlight notable discrepancies. While it maintains a neutral register, leaning toward formal usage, it is best employed to emphasize a clear and meaningful difference rather than for casual comparisons. Its close semantic alternatives include phrases like "significantly lower than" or "considerably less than".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly lower than

Focuses on the lower position relative to a specific point, emphasizing the size of the difference.

considerably less than

Emphasizes the reduced quantity and the magnitude of the reduction.

markedly beneath

Highlights a clear and noticeable distinction in vertical position.

noticeably under

Indicates that the quantity or value is clearly less than some point.

well short of

Emphasizes a failure to reach a particular target or goal.

far under

Highlights the extent to which something falls short of a value.

appreciably beneath

Stresses that difference is large enough to be perceived or felt.

distinctly under

Suggests a clearly defined state of being less than a benchmark.

materially less than

Indicates that the difference is important or relevant to the situation.

vastly lower than

Implies an extremely large disparity between two things.

FAQs

How can I use "substantially below" in a sentence?

You can use "substantially below" to indicate that something is significantly less than a particular value or standard. For example, "The company's profits were "substantially below" expectations."

What are some alternatives to "substantially below"?

Alternatives include "significantly lower than", "considerably less than", or "markedly beneath", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "substantially below" or "well below"?

"Substantially below" and "well below" are similar, but "substantially below" suggests a more formal and precise measurement, while "well below" can be slightly more informal. Choose based on the context and audience.

What does "substantially below" imply about the difference between two values?

It implies that the difference is not only less but also significant or noteworthy. It's more emphatic than simply saying "below".