very substantially less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very substantially less" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a significant reduction in quantity or degree compared to something else. Example: "The new model is very substantially less expensive than its predecessor, making it more accessible to consumers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We are talking very substantially less than this year's final".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

While the per base error rate of Illumina sequencing is very low (substantially less than 1%), the TCR amplicon interrogated by TCR-seq is short, such that high-copy clonotypes may show extreme coverage.

Genome Medicine

Further, they did express NANOS, LIN28, STELLA, CD9, SOX-2, OCT4A, MEST,and STAT3 at a very low level, substantially less than the primitive oocyte-like cells; P values in Table 3).

BioMed Research International

The mean of the posterior distribution of expression levels was very well estimated in substantially less time than the original MCMC algorithm.

Bioinformatics

Foam mats not only roll into less space than firmer or thicker mats, but they are often also very affordable and weigh substantially less than traditional yoga mats.

WikiHow

In support of this hypothesis, NAF COX-2KD, which grew very poorly as orthotopic tumors, generated substantially less PD-L1 in response to IFNγ compared to NAF nt control cells.

Breast Cancer Research

Under-ascertainment of Aboriginal status was substantially less in remote and very remote regions (8.5% combined) than urban and rural regions (45.3% combined).

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Thus, it would seem plausible that in countries where health care education is subsidized to such an extent that students have to pay very little tuition, financial-incentive programmes could be substantially less attractive than in the United States.

Human Resources for Health

"But there is so much information in this state, so much advertising, so much campaigning, such a very rich media environment, the impact of Iowa is substantially less than it is elsewhere".

The New York Times

The chance of a large accident is very low, and consequences of such an accident would be substantially less than most people think".

The New York Times

Intriguingly, this effect was only observed in a sub-population of replicons, such that the second and third classes were very substantially affected by RITA treatment, whereas the seventh/eight/ninth classes were less affected.

Cell Death and Disease

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While grammatically sound, "very substantially less" might be perceived as overly formal in casual settings. Use alternatives like "much less" or "significantly smaller" for a more relaxed tone.

Common error

Avoid using "very substantially less" in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler alternatives are more appropriate. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound unnatural or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very substantially less" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically intensifying the adjective "less." It emphasizes the degree to which something is reduced or smaller compared to something else, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very substantially less" is a grammatically sound expression used to emphasize a significant reduction or difference. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English. While versatile, the phrase is most appropriate in formal and professional contexts, particularly in news, science, and business domains. When aiming for a more casual tone, consider simpler alternatives like "much less" or "significantly smaller". Remember to provide specific details and comparisons to enhance the impact of your statement. Avoiding overuse in informal settings ensures clarity and avoids sounding pretentious.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly reduced

Emphasizes the reduction more directly than the original phrase.

considerably smaller

Focuses on size or quantity being smaller by a notable amount.

markedly diminished

Highlights a clear and noticeable decrease.

appreciably lower

Stresses that the reduction is easily perceived or measured.

noticeably decreased

Indicates a change that is easy to observe.

substantially curtailed

Implies a restriction or limitation leading to a reduction.

distinctly less

Emphasizes a clear difference in quantity or degree.

remarkably smaller

Highlights the surprising nature of the reduction.

greatly lessened

Focuses on the intensity of the reduction.

much reduced

A simpler way to express a considerable reduction.

FAQs

How can I use "very substantially less" in a sentence?

You can use "very substantially less" to emphasize a significant reduction. For instance: "The new model is "very substantially less" expensive than the previous one.".

What are some alternatives to "very substantially less"?

Alternatives include "significantly reduced", "considerably smaller", or "markedly diminished". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "very substantially less" or "much less"?

"Very substantially less" is more formal and emphasizes a greater degree of reduction compared to "much less". Use "much less" in informal settings and "very substantially less" when a stronger emphasis is needed.

What does "very substantially less" imply about the difference between two things?

It implies that the difference is significant and easily noticeable. It suggests that the reduction is not marginal but rather a considerable change.