substantially lower than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantially lower than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing quantities, values, or measurements to indicate that one is significantly less than another. Example: "The new model's price is substantially lower than its predecessor, making it more accessible to consumers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Vandalism costs there are substantially lower than on regular floors.

The New York Times

Besides, cryogenic wear is substantially lower than dry wear.

Tribology International

This is substantially lower than the IPCC conclusions from 2007.

The New York Times

"So far, the corporate tax receipts have been substantially lower than estimated," Ms. Wyman said.

The New York Times

And still the costs are substantially lower than average for comparable health-related services.

The New York Times

The numbers are not substantially lower than before the Hopwood decision.

The New York Times

Most influential is China, where production costs are substantially lower than in Australia.

The New York Times

In such cases, the burden of proof is substantially lower than in criminal cases.

The New Yorker

American publishers deny that their rates would be substantially lower than in comparable Canadian magazines.

The New York Times

The thermal conductivity of gadolinia doped fuel is substantially lower than that of standard UO2.

Journal of Nuclear Materials

Raffaello Garofalo, the board's secretary-general told the Guardian: "The figures we have are substantially lower than that.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing data sets, clearly state the units of measurement for both values to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "The cost was substantially lower than before", specify "The cost was $500, substantially lower than the previous $1,000."

Common error

Avoid using "substantially lower than" without specifying what the comparison is being made to. For instance, instead of saying "The price is substantially lower", clarify "The price is substantially lower than the competitor's offering".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially lower than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that its value or quantity is significantly less than another, acting as a comparative modifier. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its adjectival role in comparing different entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "substantially lower than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to emphasize a significant difference between two compared entities. Predominantly found in news, media and scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various audiences. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the elements being compared. For alternatives, consider options like "significantly less than" or "considerably smaller than" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly less than

Emphasizes the notable difference in quantity or degree, similar to the original phrase.

considerably smaller than

Highlights the size or magnitude aspect of the difference, using "smaller" as the comparative term.

markedly reduced compared to

Focuses on the decrease and comparison, implying a clear and observable reduction.

appreciably less than

Indicates a difference that is noticeable and worth considering.

noticeably inferior to

Shifts the comparison to quality or performance, suggesting a clear disadvantage.

distinctly below

Emphasizes that something is clearly positioned under a certain level

well below

It indicates a notable difference and suggests that something is a considerable distance from a certain target or benchmark.

substantially beneath

Similar to "substantially lower than", but uses "beneath" to indicate a position under something.

significantly under

Focuses on being below a particular threshold or target by a notable amount.

far short of

Indicates that something fails to reach a particular standard or expectation by a considerable margin.

FAQs

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

Use "substantially lower than" to compare two values or quantities, indicating a significant difference. For example: "The crime rate this year is "substantially lower than" last year's rate."

What are some alternatives to "substantially lower than"?

You can use alternatives such as "significantly less than", "considerably smaller than", or "markedly reduced compared to" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "substantially less than" or "substantially lower than"?

Both "substantially less than" and ""substantially lower than"" are correct, but "substantially lower than" is typically used when comparing values or quantities, while "substantially less than" can be used more generally.

When should I use "substantially lower than" instead of just "lower than"?

Use "substantially lower than" when you want to emphasize that the difference between two values is significant or noteworthy. "Lower than" simply indicates a difference, while "substantially lower than" highlights the magnitude of that difference.