unusually low

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unusually low" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is lower than expected or lower than normal. Example: The December temperatures were unusually low, causing snow to fall in areas that don't typically experience cold weather.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

His charisma emission level is unusually low.

The New Yorker

Stocks of oil are also unusually low.

The Economist

Palin kept an unusually low profile after the Tucson shootings.

The Guardian

Rather, it is today's unusually low interest rates.

The New York Times

Consumer-price inflation is unusually low, and falling.

The Economist

He also has unusually low negatives, which gives him upside potential.

The New York Times

At the same time, unusually low interest rates are further undermining pension plans.

The New York Times

New planes and new, nonunion workers gave it unusually low costs.

The New York Times

Cerny started rapping his knuckles against the walls and the ceilings, which were unusually low.

The New Yorker

Southern Italy is currently in the grip of unusually low temperatures and high winds.

The Guardian

Works on canvas are hung unusually low, as if to encourage intimacy.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unusually low", ensure the context clearly establishes what is considered normal or expected. This helps the reader understand the significance of the deviation.

Common error

Avoid using "unusually low" without providing a reference point for comparison. For example, instead of saying "The turnout was unusually low", specify compared to what (e.g., "The turnout was unusually low compared to previous elections").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unusually low" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically intensifying the adjective "low". It indicates that something is not just low, but lower than what is typically expected or considered normal. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unusually low" functions as an adverbial modifier, denoting something that is lower than expected. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It appears most frequently in "News & Media" and "Science", indicating its relevance in reporting on deviations from the norm and describing scientific phenomena. When using this phrase, it's important to provide context for what is considered normal to ensure clarity. Alternatives like "exceptionally low" and "remarkably low" can be used to emphasize the degree to which something is low or unexpected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceptionally low

Emphasizes the degree to which something is low, suggesting it's an exception to the norm.

remarkably low

Highlights the unexpected or noteworthy aspect of the low value.

surprisingly low

Focuses on the unexpected nature of the low level or amount.

particularly low

Indicates a notable degree of being low, but doesn't necessarily imply surprise.

uncommonly low

Similar to "unusually low", but emphasizes the rarity of the situation.

strikingly low

Implies that the low level is very noticeable or remarkable.

noticeably low

Indicates that the low value is easily observed or detected.

abnormally low

Focuses on the deviation from what is considered normal or typical.

unseasonably low

Specifically refers to something being low for a particular time of year.

unexpectedly low

Highlights the element of surprise regarding the low value or level.

FAQs

How can I use "unusually low" in a sentence?

You can use "unusually low" to describe something that is lower than what is normally expected. For example: "The river's water level is unusually low this summer", or "The company reported unusually low sales figures for the quarter".

What are some alternatives to saying "unusually low"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "exceptionally low", "remarkably low", or "surprisingly low".

Is it correct to say "unusually low levels" or "unusually low level"?

Both can be correct depending on the noun you are modifying. Use "levels" for plural nouns (e.g., "unusually low levels of rainfall") and "level" for singular nouns (e.g., "an unusually low level of participation").

What's the difference between "unusually low" and "surprisingly low"?

"Unusually low" simply indicates that something is lower than normal, while "surprisingly low" adds an element of unexpectedness. For instance, "The temperature is unusually low for July" just states a fact, whereas "The temperature is surprisingly low for July" expresses that the speaker didn't expect it to be so cold.