well below

USAGE SUMMARY

"well below" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a number or measurement that is much lower than expected. For example, "The stock market went well below the record closing high."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's well below average.

The New York Times

It's well below our standards".

The New York Times - Sports

That pushed the stock well below $30.

The New York Times

The temperature is well below freezing.

The Economist

It remains well below its former levels.

The New York Times

I keep well below the radar".

The New Yorker

The figure was well below expectations.

The Economist

These yields remain well below Greek levels.

The Economist

This was well below analysts' forecasts.

The New York Times

Aboveground, it was well below freezing.

The New York Times

Both figures were well below economists' forecasts.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "well below" to emphasize a significant difference or shortfall from a target, expectation, or standard. For example, "The company's profits were well below analysts' expectations."

Common error

Avoid using "well below" in very informal conversations where simpler terms like "much lower" or "way under" would be more appropriate. "Well below" carries a degree of formality suitable for professional or news-related contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well below" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective. It indicates a degree or extent to which something is less than a specified level. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "well below" is a commonly used adverbial phrase that signifies a quantity or level substantially lower than a specified benchmark. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence in formal contexts like news, business, and science. While alternatives exist, "well below" is effective for emphasizing the extent of a difference. When using this phrase, it's essential to consider the target and avoid using it in informal scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly lower than

Replaces "well below" with a more descriptive phrase emphasizing the degree of difference.

considerably less than

Similar to "well below", but uses "considerably" to highlight the extent of the difference.

far beneath

Uses "beneath" to indicate a lower position, maintaining a similar meaning to "well below".

substantially under

Replaces "below" with "under" while retaining a formal tone and similar meaning.

markedly lower than

Uses "markedly" to emphasize the noticeable difference between two values.

way under

More informal than "well below", suggesting a large difference.

distinctly below

Emphasizes clarity and ease of perception in the difference.

considerably under

Uses 'under' as an alternative to 'below' with similar meaning and formality.

noticeably less than

Highlights the ease with which the disparity can be observed or recognized.

appreciably lower than

Indicates the difference is substantial enough to have consequences or be important.

FAQs

How can I use "well below" in a sentence?

"Well below" is used to indicate that something is significantly less than a certain level or standard. For example, "The temperature was well below freezing" or "The company's performance was well below expectations".

What are some alternatives to "well below"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "significantly lower than", "considerably less than", or "far beneath".

Is it always appropriate to use "well below" in formal writing?

While "well below" is generally suitable for formal writing, consider the specific audience and context. In some cases, a more precise or technical term might be preferable. However, it is appropriate if you want to stress the extent of the difference between the two terms being compared.

What's the difference between "well below" and "below"?

"Well below" emphasizes a greater difference than simply "below". Using "well" amplifies the extent to which something falls short of a particular level or standard. Therefore, if you mean to stress that there is a significant difference, you should use "well below".