Less tonnage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Less tonnage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the weight or volume of cargo, typically in shipping or transportation contexts, to indicate a smaller amount. Example: "The new regulations require less tonnage for the shipment to qualify for reduced fees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"The council will be collecting less waste so they will save money because the council pays waste by weight, so they will have less tonnage".

BBC

This lower efficiency translated into between 7.5% and 22% less tonnage being transported between Australian ports each month (no accurate figures are available and the estimated figure varied between months).

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

From the risk profiles of material production, it is likely that there are less ore tonnage and more waste tonnage in all periods over the life of mine.

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology

In addition, tissue made from recycled paper produces less waste tonnage — almost equaling its weight — that would otherwise go to a landfill.

The New York Times - Science

The "arriving silt so long as it does arrive strengthens the bed on which Shanghai is built... the less the tonnage of arriving sediment the more vulnerable is this biggest of Chinese cities to inundation... ...... Benthic sediment buildup causes biological damage and reduces aquatic biodiversity.

Wikipedia

"Trucks are incentivized to focus more on tonnage and less on segregation," said Jagtap.

The New York Times

Similarly, while some of the low-volume processes used to manufacture ZnO nanostructures have been well covered in the literature, there has been far less reported on the tonnage chemical engineering processes by which most ZnO is actually made.

Chemical Engineering Journal

That amounted to less than 1 percent of the tonnage through all Illinois locks that year.

The New York Times

Less than 1 percent of all freight tonnage is carried by air.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Shipping firms are less likely to incorporate if the tonnage tax is also available for firms that have adopted pass-through organizational forms.

Journal of Public Economics

Gross tonnage is a unit-less index calculated using the internal volume of vessels.

IPSJ Transactions on Computer Vision and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing environmental impact, use "Less tonnage" to highlight reductions in waste or resource consumption.

Common error

Avoid using "Less tonnage" when you actually mean a reduction in the number of items, not their combined weight or volume. For example, use "fewer items" instead of "Less tonnage" if you're counting individual units.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Less tonnage" functions as a noun phrase where "less" modifies the noun "tonnage". According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Less tonnage" is a grammatically correct and semantically sound phrase used to denote a reduction in weight or volume, primarily in contexts involving shipping, waste management, and resource utilization. Ludwig confirms its usability. While not exceedingly common, its appearance in reputable sources like The New York Times and encyclopedias underscores its appropriateness for conveying decreased quantities. Remember to use this phrase when you specifically refer to combined weight or volume and consider alternatives like "reduced tonnage" or "lower tonnage" for nuanced emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reduced tonnage

Focuses on the action of reducing the amount.

Lower tonnage

Emphasizes the comparative reduction in amount.

Decreased tonnage

Highlights the decline in the quantity or weight involved.

Smaller load

Shifts focus from overall capacity to the specific amount being carried.

Lighter load

Emphasizes the reduced weight of the load.

Less cargo

Replaces "tonnage" with a direct synonym referring to goods transported.

Diminished volume

Highlights the reduction in space occupied.

Limited capacity

Focuses on the restricted ability to hold or carry.

Curtailment of tonnage

Uses a more formal term to describe the reduction.

Decline in tonnage

Highlights the downward trend in the quantity or weight.

FAQs

How is "Less tonnage" used in shipping contexts?

"Less tonnage" often refers to a reduction in the amount of cargo being transported by ships, affecting shipping costs and trade volumes.

What are some situations where I might use "reduced tonnage" instead of "Less tonnage"?

Use "reduced tonnage" when you want to emphasize the action of reducing the amount, such as in environmental reports highlighting waste reduction efforts.

Is "Less tonnage" appropriate for describing a decrease in waste production?

Yes, "Less tonnage" can be used to describe a decrease in waste production, emphasizing the reduced weight or volume of waste materials going to landfills or incinerators.

What's the difference between "lower tonnage" and "Less tonnage"?

"Lower tonnage" directly implies a comparison, suggesting that the amount is smaller compared to a previous amount or a standard. "Less tonnage" simply indicates a smaller quantity without explicit comparison.