substantially under

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantially under" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is significantly below a certain level or standard. Example: "The project's budget is substantially under the initial estimate, allowing for additional funding in other areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Those costs have gone up substantially under London Underground's control.

The Guardian - Business

Sundance buyers and attendees have been chattering about the project, which has remained substantially under wraps.

The New York Times - Arts

Monetary easing is the only one of the three that is substantially under way.

The New York Times

The number of civil servants has, interestingly, dropped very substantially under the Coalition.

Independent

Chiang decided to make a stand in Shanghai, since North China was already substantially under Japanese control.

The New Yorker

In a statement, Blues Trust noted positively that the club had brought its costs substantially under control.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

The prevalence of these drugs is "substantially under-reported", he said.

The Guardian

In some countries, the US in particular, the IMF research suggests the rich are substantially under-taxed.

The Guardian - Business

We also believe M&S is substantially under-earning in margin terms with GM gross margins 51% vs. 57 60% for peers.

The Guardian - Business

Experts think fraud and cyber-crimes remain substantially under-reported.

BBC

Another outlier whose Vss was substantially under-predicted in our models is artesunate.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantially under" to clearly indicate that a value or quantity is significantly less than an expected or required level. This phrase is particularly useful in technical or formal writing where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "substantially under" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it may sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "much less than" or "well below" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially under" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective, indicating the degree to which something falls below a specific level or standard. It provides a quantitative assessment of the difference. Ludwig indicates this expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "substantially under" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for indicating a significant shortfall or difference. While not extremely common, its presence in reliable sources across various domains confirms its validity. As reported by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct. It's particularly prevalent in science and news contexts. When using "substantially under", consider the formality of your writing and choose simpler alternatives for informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably below

Emphasizes a notable difference in quantity or degree, focusing on the extent of being less than.

significantly less than

Highlights the importance of the difference, suggesting it's not just a small variation.

markedly beneath

Indicates a clearly noticeable difference in level or status, often used in formal contexts.

appreciably lower than

Suggests a difference that is easily perceived or measured, making it quantifiable.

noticeably under

Emphasizes the ease with which the difference can be observed, focusing on the obvious nature of the disparity.

well below

A simple and direct way to state that something is far from a certain point or standard.

far under

Highlights the distance from a target or expectation, suggesting a considerable gap.

considerably short of

Indicates a failure to reach a specific goal or target by a significant amount.

materially deficient in

Implies a serious lack of something important or necessary, often used in formal or technical contexts.

distinctly less than

Highlights the clear and unambiguous nature of the difference, leaving no room for doubt.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantially under" to indicate that something is significantly below a certain level or standard. For example, "The project's costs were "substantially under" the initial budget."

What are some alternatives to "substantially under"?

Alternatives to "substantially under" include phrases like "considerably below", "significantly less than", or "well below", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "substantially under" in formal writing?

Yes, "substantially under" is appropriate for formal writing when you want to convey that something is significantly less than a particular value or expectation. It adds a level of precision suitable for technical or business contexts.

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

"Substantially under" implies a significant difference, while "slightly under" suggests a minor difference. The choice depends on the magnitude of the deviation you wish to emphasize. For example, choose "slightly under" when the difference is negligible.