substantially less

USAGE SUMMARY

"substantially less" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is much less than it was before. For example, "His income has decreased substantially less than we anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Now the bank is offering substantially less.

The New York Times

Will there be substantially less money in the system?

The New York Times

The only difference is the substantially less glamorous cast list.

The Guardian

Single or double, $192 ,substantially less in the off season.

The New York Times - Travel

If they get substantially less, then the probability declines".

The New York Times

(Dickson's voting record is substantially less liberal than Pelosi's).

The New Yorker

Cemfree also requires substantially less water than conventionally produced concrete.

The Guardian

"We are talking very substantially less than this year's final".

Independent

Then the house was appraised for substantially less, making it tough to get a mortgage.

The New York Times

It currently has enough for several bombs, and Washington wants it to have substantially less.

The Guardian

Through most of his leadership, Miliband has polled substantially less well than his party.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing items, consider whether a more specific term (e.g., "considerably smaller", "significantly reduced") would be more appropriate for clarity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "substantially less" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "much less" or "a lot less" when speaking or writing informally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially less" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically quantifying the degree to which something is reduced or diminished. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage and broad applicability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantially less" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves to emphasize a considerable reduction or decrease across various domains, including news, science, and business. While suitable for professional and neutral registers, it may be replaced with simpler terms in informal settings. When precision is key, especially with quantities and figures, the phrase can be used in academic writing. Remember to consider the audience to properly select the term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably smaller

Emphasizes the size difference more directly.

significantly reduced

Focuses on the action of reducing something.

markedly diminished

Highlights a noticeable decrease.

appreciably lower

Indicates a decrease that is easily perceived.

notably fewer

Specifically refers to a smaller number of items or instances.

far smaller

A more informal way to express a significant difference in size.

much less

A simpler and more direct way to say "substantially less".

reduced significantly

Reorders the phrase to emphasize the reduction.

considerably abated

Suggests a reduction in intensity or degree.

materially lighter

Implies a reduction in weight or burden.

FAQs

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

Use "substantially less" to indicate a significant reduction. For example, "The project cost "substantially less" than initially estimated" or "This new model consumes "substantially less" energy than the previous one".

What are some alternatives to "substantially less"?

Alternatives include "considerably smaller", "significantly reduced", "markedly diminished", or simply "much less", depending on the context and the degree of formality you want to convey.

Is "substantially less" formal or informal?

"Substantially less" leans towards the formal side. In informal settings, consider using "a lot less" or "much less".

What is the difference between "substantially less" and "slightly less"?

"Substantially less" indicates a significant difference, whereas "slightly less" suggests a minor difference. Use "substantially less" when the reduction is considerable and impactful.