well under

USAGE SUMMARY

"well under" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to refer to something being much less than the expected or requested amount. For example, "We worked hard to try to get the cost down to $100, but the vendor only agreed to charge us well under $50."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He plays well under pressure.

Independent

Well under a thousand.

The New Yorker

It's well under way.

The New York Times - Sports

Lying in bed, well under the duvet.

The New Yorker

Prisoner release is well under way.

The Economist

Politics is well under Kremlin control.

The Economist

I don't work well under pressure.

Independent

Wash the chard well under running water.

Independent

This process is well under way.

The New Yorker

For instance, I work well under pressure.

Independent

"But my punishment is well under way".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "well under" to clearly indicate that a value or quantity is significantly less than a specified amount or expectation. This phrase is effective in both formal and informal contexts to convey a substantial difference.

Common error

Avoid using "well under" excessively in highly formal or technical writing, where more precise or quantitative language may be more appropriate. While acceptable, overuse can make the writing sound less professional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well under" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the extent to which a value, quantity, or degree is less than a specified threshold. Ludwig showcases its frequent use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "well under" is a phrase used to express that a value or quantity is significantly less than a certain amount. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and business. While versatile, it's advisable to use more precise language in highly formal or technical settings. Alternatives like "significantly below" or "substantially less than" can provide a more professional tone when needed. The phrase serves effectively to convey a clear and notable difference between an actual value and a specified threshold.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly below

Focuses on the degree to which something falls short of a specific target.

considerably less than

Emphasizes the notable difference between the actual value and the reference point.

substantially lower than

Highlights the reduced magnitude compared to a given standard.

far below

Implies a significant distance from a particular level or benchmark.

well beneath

Uses 'beneath' to suggest a position lower than a certain level, similar to 'under'.

markedly under

Emphasizes that the difference is easily noticeable or significant.

appreciably below

Indicates that the amount is noticeably less.

noticeably under

Similar to 'appreciably below', but focuses on the ease of noticing the difference.

comfortably below

Suggests a margin below a level that provides a sense of security or ease.

easily less than

Emphasizes the lack of difficulty in being below a certain quantity.

FAQs

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

The phrase "well under" is used to indicate that something is considerably less than a given amount. For example, "The price was "significantly below" our budget", or "Attendance was "far below" expectations."

What's a more formal alternative to "well under"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "substantially lower than", "significantly less than", or "considerably below" as more precise and professional alternatives to "well under".

Is it always appropriate to use "well under" in professional writing?

While "well under" is generally acceptable, it might be too informal for highly technical or academic papers. Evaluate the context and audience to determine if a more precise term would be better.

Can "well under" be used to describe non-numerical concepts?

Yes, but it's less common. "Well under" is typically used with numerical values, but it can be applied to other measurable concepts where a clear threshold exists, although this usage can be imprecise, prefer other alternatives such as "far below" or "considerably less than".