substantially less than

USAGE SUMMARY

"substantially less than" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the difference between two amounts or quantities, usually when one is significantly less than the other. For example, "The company's profits were substantially less than last year's."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What matters most is spending substantially less than you earn.

The Washington Post

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

Independent

Finally, counties with substantially less than one second ratio are combined into multicounty districts.

Cornell University

Black male doctors earn substantially less than white male doctors, still more than female doctors.

Harvard University

Late last year, Ebel was sold to Movado for substantially less than was paid for it.

The New York Times

Nearly six years on, the property is worth substantially less than the couple paid for it.

The Guardian - Money

The fine on Wednesday, though large, is substantially less than that.

The Guardian - Tech

It holds substantially less than a cord, not a full cord.

The New York Times

"To me, the uncertainties are substantially less than there were last time," he said.

The New York Times

The News Corporation's offer would have been worth about $22.5 billion, substantially less than EchoStar's.

The New York Times

"The cost of a one-way ticket is substantially less than that," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantially less than" to clearly indicate a significant difference in amount, size, or degree between two things. This phrase adds emphasis and precision to your comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "substantially less than" when the difference is marginal or insignificant. Using this phrase implies a notable and important distinction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially less than" functions as a comparative quantifier, highlighting a significant difference in quantity or degree between two entities. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

27%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "substantially less than" is a comparative quantifier used to emphasize a significant difference between two values. It is deemed grammatically correct and very commonly used across various sources, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, it serves to highlight a noticeable disparity. When using this phrase, ensure the difference is indeed significant to avoid misrepresentation. Alternatives like ""markedly less than"" or "considerably less than" can be employed for variety, maintaining the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

markedly less than

Emphasizes the noticeable difference in quantity or degree.

considerably less than

Highlights a significant reduction or decrease.

significantly lower than

Focuses on the reduced level or amount.

considerably smaller than

Emphasizes the reduced size or extent.

vastly less than

Stresses a large disparity between two quantities.

far less than

Highlights the distance between the two quantities being compared.

noticeably less than

Indicates that the difference is easily observed or detected.

dramatically less than

Suggests a sudden and significant decrease.

greatly less than

Emphasizes the large extent of the difference.

appreciably less than

Highlights that the difference is large enough to be important or significant.

FAQs

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

Use "substantially less than" to emphasize a significant difference in quantity or degree. For example: "The cost was "markedly less than" expected."

What's a good alternative to "substantially less than"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "considerably less than", "significantly lower than", or "noticeably less than".

Is it appropriate to use "substantially less than" in formal writing?

Yes, "substantially less than" is suitable for formal writing as it clearly and precisely conveys a significant difference. However, ensure the context warrants the emphasis it provides.

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

"Slightly less than" indicates a minor difference, while "substantially less than" implies a considerable and important disparity. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the difference.