Less distance

USAGE SUMMARY

'Less distance' is a grammatically correct part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to a reduced distance between objects, people, or places. For example: "Thanks to the new bridge, it takes less distance to get from one town to the other."

✓ Grammatically correct

Journal of Modern Transportation

Forbes

The New York Times - Sports

The New York Times

The Guardian - Lifestyle

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Ocean Engineering

BBC

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

Research in Developmental Disabilities

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

The Journal of Global Positioning Systems

Unicef

Environmental Health Perspectives

BMC International Health and Human Rights

BioMed Research International

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

Brain

BMC Plant Biology

EMBO Molecular Medicine

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

BMC Public Health

ROBOMECH Journal

Plosone

Environmental Health Perspectives

Wikipedia

Huffington Post

WikiHow

The New Yorker

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Less distance away from the front vehicle causes less speed variation.

Journal of Modern Transportation

Less distance between the caster and the coiler virtually eliminates "scale," the pesky crust formed when oxygen reacts with the steel.

Forbes

With so many players leaving, there is less distance between the top and the bottom teams.

The New York Times - Sports

That meant Alinghi sailed less distance faster, yacht racing's ultimate goal.

The New York Times - Sports

Try to find anyone else out here looking to find the key to less distance.

The New York Times

He said the strong German starters gained an advantage with less distance to cover.

The New York Times - Sports

There is less distance than one might suppose between the exaltation of an oracle and her bottom line.

The New Yorker

Naoko Okamoto, Mr. Kubota's 26-year-old secretary, said that now "there is less distance and human relations have improved".

The New York Times

Call it the Zen of driving: the less distance you drive each day, the more you see.

The New York Times - Travel

For weeks before a big meet, swimmers usually taper their training, with less distance but more speed.

The New York Times - Sports

There's a less rigid way of looking at the world of music, less distance between the experimental end of pop and some classical music.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical layouts or processes, use "less distance" to emphasize efficiency gains from minimizing travel or movement.

Common error

Avoid using "less distance" when referring to abstract concepts like emotional distance; consider alternatives like "closer relationship" or "greater understanding" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less distance" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as an adverbial modifier. It describes a comparative reduction in spatial separation or extent. Ludwig confirms the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less distance" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as validated by Ludwig. It functions as a noun phrase often acting as an adverbial modifier, primarily to describe a reduction in spatial separation or extent. It's versatile and suitable for neutral contexts, spanning from scientific reports to news articles, emphasizing efficiency or convenience. When aiming for clarity, make sure the context aligns with physical or measurable distances, and consider ""shorter distance"" for physical length reductions. Understanding these nuances will ensure accurate and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shorter distance

Emphasizes the physical length of the separation.

reduced separation

Focuses on the act of diminishing the space between two points or objects.

closer proximity

Highlights the nearness or adjacency of elements.

decreased range

Implies a limitation in the extent or scope of something.

narrower gap

Refers to a smaller interval or opening between two things.

diminished interval

Focuses on reducing the space or time separating events or objects.

compact arrangement

Suggests that elements are packed more tightly together.

condensed spacing

Emphasizes the reduced area between items or points.

tighter span

Implies a shorter extent or duration.

nearer reach

Highlights the ease of accessing something due to its close location.

FAQs

How can I use "less distance" in a sentence?

You can use "less distance" to describe a shorter physical separation, as in "The new route means there is "shorter distance" to travel" or a reduced gap between ideas or concepts.

What are some alternatives to saying "less distance"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "closer proximity", "reduced separation", or "narrower gap" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "less distance" versus "shorter distance"?

"Less distance" is generally used when talking about a decrease in distance in general, while ""shorter distance"" refers to the actual physical length being reduced.

Is "less distance" grammatically correct?

Yes, "less distance" is grammatically correct and widely used, as confirmed by Ludwig and numerous examples. It indicates a reduction in the amount of space or separation.