very low

USAGE SUMMARY

"very low" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not high and is even further down than "low". For example, "The temperature was very low last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Very low.

The New York Times

Very low indeed.

The Guardian - Opinion

She drops very low.

The New York Times - Arts

"Very low," Fritz said.

The New Yorker

"Very, very low.

The New York Times

"It's very low".

The New York Times

"He's very low key.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Very low-energy servers.

The New York Times

"They're very low-key.

The New York Times - Magazine

They were very low-cultured.

The New York Times

"We are very low-key.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very low" to emphasize a minimal level or degree when 'low' alone is not strong enough to convey the intended meaning. For instance, "The risk of infection is very low."

Common error

Avoid using "very low" as a generic descriptor when a more precise adjective would be more informative. For example, instead of "The quality was very low", consider using "The quality was substandard" or "deficient".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very low" functions as an adjective modifier, specifically an intensifier modifying the adjective 'low'. It serves to emphasize the minimal degree or extent of a particular attribute or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "very low" is a common and grammatically sound way to emphasize the minimal degree or extent of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, particularly news and media, academic writing, and scientific reports. While versatile, it’s important to consider more precise alternatives when possible to avoid generic descriptions. Keep in mind that the phrase functions as an adjective modifier, intensifying the meaning of 'low'. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse communication scenarios. By using "very low" judiciously and considering context-specific synonyms, you can enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely minimal

Emphasizes the reduced quantity even more strongly.

exceptionally small

Highlights the diminutive size or extent.

remarkably little

Indicates a surprising lack of something.

unusually reduced

Focuses on the degree of reduction as being out of the ordinary.

significantly decreased

Emphasizes that the reduction is noteworthy.

substantially diminished

Highlights a considerable decrease or decline.

considerably lessened

Indicates that something has been made smaller or less significant.

appreciably lower

Shows that the decrease is noticeable.

quite insignificant

Emphasizes the lack of importance or consequence.

hardly any

Indicates a near absence of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "very low" to describe something that is at a minimum level, such as "The water level in the lake is "extremely low"" or "The chances of winning the lottery are "exceedingly small"".

What are some alternatives to saying "very low"?

Instead of "very low", you could use phrases like "extremely minimal", "exceptionally small", or "remarkably little" to emphasize the minimal level or amount depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "very low"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Very" is an adverb that modifies the adjective "low", intensifying its meaning. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and commonly used expression.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "very low"?

It is appropriate to use "very low" in situations where you want to emphasize that something is at a minimum level, such as describing temperature, risk, expectations, or morale.