too low

USAGE SUMMARY

"too low" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a quantity, amount, or value that is not high enough. For example, "The price of the item has dropped too low for us to make a profit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was too low.

The New York Times

No, that's too low.

The New York Times

Still too low.

The New York Times

The roof is too low.

The New Yorker

Fuel stockpiles were too low.

The Economist

No blow too low.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's too low.

The Guardian

Most people guess too low.

The Economist

That also looks too low.

The Economist

Heating on too low?

The Guardian

"A little too low.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and intended audience. In formal writing, opt for synonyms like "insufficient" or "inadequate" for a more professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "too low" in contexts where 'lower than expected' is more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The temperature is too low compared to yesterday", say "The temperature is lower than expected compared to yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too low" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that a particular attribute is below an acceptable or desired level. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatical and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "too low" is a common and grammatically sound adjectival phrase used to express that something is insufficient or inadequate. As Ludwig AI points out, it's broadly applicable across many contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it also appears in scientific and business writing. To enhance clarity, especially in numerical contexts, ensure you specify units of measurement. While "too low" is generally suitable, consider using synonyms like "insufficient" or "inadequate" for a more formal tone. Avoid its misuse in direct comparisons where phrases like 'lower than expected' might be more appropriate. Remember that this phrase communicates a deficiency or lack of something, as seen in the many examples Ludwig provides.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not high enough

Directly states that something's height or amount does not reach an acceptable level.

insufficient

Indicates a lack of something necessary.

inadequate

Not good enough or not sufficient enough.

lacking

Missing or not having enough of something.

deficient

Lacking an essential quality or element.

substandard

Not meeting the required level of quality.

falling short

Failing to meet a particular standard or expectation.

below par

Signifies something is below the expected or required standard.

under the mark

Failing to reach a target or standard.

underestimated

An assessment or measure that is less than the actual value.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "too low" in a sentence?

Alternatives include "insufficient", "inadequate", or "below par", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "too low"?

"Too low" is suitable when indicating that a certain value, level, or quantity is less than what is desired, expected, or required.

Is there a difference between "too low" and "very low"?

"Too low" implies that something is unacceptably or problematically low, whereas "very low" simply describes a state of being at a low level without necessarily implying a problem. The expression is more subjective and contextual.

Can "too low" be used for abstract concepts, like standards?

Yes, "too low" can be used to describe standards that are not demanding enough. For example, "That's setting the bar "too low"".