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CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
Less number
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "Less number" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly when referring to a smaller quantity or amount. Example: "We need to reduce the less number of errors in our report."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
Less number of parameters required in comparison to all water quality parameters for particular use. 3.
Science
Less number of parameters required in comparison to all water quality parameters for particular use.
Science
Less number of thiazole ring as in compounds 5a c lead to drastic drop in activity.
Science
Thus, less number of photocatalysts was activated.
Our scheme offers better resiliency using less number of supernodes.
Metal stoves are used by less number of people.
The other distance classes revealed a less number of landslides.
Science
Parasitized H. armigera had 26% less number of blood cells compared to healthy larvae.
In addition, the proposed interface requires less number of queries in completing everyday bibliographic search tasks.
Science
Of the two approaches, the DSP approach requires 87.40% less number of clock cycles.
Compared to existing formulations, the optimization method uses less number of design variables.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
If referring to a general amount or quantity, consider using alternatives like "smaller quantity" or "reduced amount".
Common error
Avoid using "less" with countable nouns. "Less" is for uncountable nouns (e.g., "less water"), while "fewer" is for countable nouns (e.g., "fewer cars"). Using "less" with countable nouns is a common grammatical error.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "Less number" functions as a determiner phrase, intended to modify a noun by indicating a smaller quantity. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. While commonly used, it violates standard English grammar rules regarding countable versus uncountable nouns.
Frequent in
Science
75%
News & Media
15%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "Less number" is frequently used across various contexts, especially in scientific literature, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect. The core issue lies in the misuse of "less" with countable nouns, where "fewer" should be used instead. Alternatives such as "fewer in number" or "smaller quantity" offer grammatically sound substitutes, enhancing clarity and precision in writing. Always consider the countability of the noun you're modifying to avoid this common error.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
Fewer in number
Replaces "less" with "fewer" which is grammatically correct for countable nouns and adds "in number" for emphasis.
Smaller quantity
Replaces "number" with "quantity", suitable when referring to an amount rather than a count.
Reduced amount
Uses "reduced" to indicate a decrease and "amount" instead of "number".
Lower count
Employs "lower" to describe the count, offering a direct substitute.
Diminished quantity
Replaces "less" with "diminished" to indicate a reduction in quantity.
Smaller aggregate
Uses "aggregate" to refer to a total and "smaller" to indicate reduction.
Decreased volume
Substitutes "number" with "volume", appropriate when referring to capacity or size.
Limited amount
Uses "limited" to describe the amount, indicating a restriction or reduction.
Fewer instances
Replaces "number" with "instances" and "less" with "fewer" to describe occurences.
Smaller extent
Uses "extent" to refer to scope or range and "smaller" to show decrease.
FAQs
When should I use "less" versus "fewer"?
"Less" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., "less water"), while "fewer" is used with countable nouns (e.g., "fewer cars").
Is "less number" grammatically correct?
No, "less number" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use "fewer in number" or "smaller quantity" depending on the context.
What are some alternatives to "less number"?
Alternatives include "smaller quantity", "reduced amount", "fewer instances", and "fewer in number".
How can I avoid using "less number" in my writing?
Always check if you are referring to something countable. If so, use "fewer". If it's uncountable, "less" is appropriate. For example, use "fewer errors" instead of "less errors" and "less water" is correct.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested