Less informative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Less informative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that provides fewer details or less clarity compared to another source or piece of information. Example: "The summary was less informative than the full report, leaving out key details."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But if the returns to investing in information are reduced, the market will become less informative.

The Economist

That is less informative and more of a brag.

The New Yorker

It is less informative regarding asm programs though.

University of California, Berkeley

But it's not psychologically penetrating, and it's less informative than a good newspaper article.

The Guardian

And my understanding is that housing data are much less informative than we'd like.

The New York Times

Traditional one-mode projection models are less informative than their original bipartite networks.

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications

Thanks to changes introduced under the previous Government, exams became duller for students and less informative for colleges and employers.

The Guardian

The results, predictably, were less entertaining than watching a DVD, but much less informative than trying to, say, read something.

The Guardian - Opinion

This process is costly, time-consuming and often less informative than drug firms would like.

The Economist

Stethoscopes, although useful for initial diagnosis, are even less informative about the details.

The Economist

"The female-voiced computer was rated significantly less informative about the technical subjects than the male one," Dr. Nass said.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less informative" to critique sources or data, providing a constructive basis for improvement by highlighting areas where more detail or clarity is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "less informative" when the subject is entirely devoid of information; instead, use terms like "uninformative" or "meaningless" to more accurately describe the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less informative" primarily functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe something that provides fewer details or less clarity compared to something else. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it's often used in contexts where different sources or methods are being evaluated for their information content.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less informative" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that provides fewer details or less clarity compared to something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, including science, news, and academia. When using this phrase, ensure you're making a comparison, and avoid using it when the subject is entirely devoid of information. Alternatives include "not as enlightening", "less illuminating", and "providing fewer details". Remember that "less informative" implies a relative lack of detail, while "uninformative" indicates a complete absence of useful information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Not as enlightening

Emphasizes the lack of providing insight or understanding.

Less illuminating

Highlights the reduced ability to clarify or shed light on a subject.

Providing fewer details

Focuses on the quantitative aspect of information provided.

Not very descriptive

Stresses the lack of vivid or detailed portrayal.

Offering limited insight

Emphasizes the restricted perspective or understanding conveyed.

Vague and unclear

Highlights the lack of precision and clarity in the information.

Superficial account

Indicates a lack of depth and thoroughness in the explanation.

Sketchy details

Points to the incompleteness and lack of reliability in the information.

Incomplete picture

Implies that some elements are missing, resulting in an imperfect understanding.

Lacking substance

Highlights the deficiency in significant or essential content.

FAQs

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

You can use "less informative" to compare the amount of information provided by different sources. For example, "This summary is "less informative" than the original report because it leaves out key details."

What are some alternatives to saying "less informative"?

Alternatives include "not as enlightening", "less illuminating", or "providing fewer details", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "less informative" or "uninformative"?

"Less informative" implies a comparison, suggesting that one source provides fewer details than another. "Uninformative" means providing no useful information at all. Choose the term that accurately reflects the situation.

What's the difference between "less informative" and "not informative"?

"Less informative" implies a relative lack of detail compared to something else. "Not informative" suggests a complete absence of useful information. The choice depends on whether you're making a comparison or stating a complete lack of information.