a less number

USAGE SUMMARY

"a less number" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to compare two quantities, with the first being smaller than the second. Example: "A less number of students attended the event compared to last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Geoenvironmental Disasters

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

The other distance classes revealed a less number of landslides.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

These configurations use a less number of columns compared to the Petlyuk configuration.

Computer Aided Chemical Engineering

Therefore, a less number of respondents gave preference to these fuels.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

In Nakla region, a less number of households gave preference to cow dung as a fuel.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

In Nakla region, a less number of respondents reported using cow dung as a fuel.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

I.e. if the initial parameters are closer to their final values then a less number of iteration steps is needed.

Journal of the European Optical Society-Rapid Publications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

This suggests that it is desirable to have a significantly less number of neighbor nodes and a lower energy consumption if we select a small moving time.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Moreover, DenseNets requires a considerably less number of parameters and reasonable computing time to achieve state-of-the-art performances.

Computers and Electronics in Agriculture

When the geocast region is small, in such a scenario less number of nodes exists in the geocast region.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

For high density noise removal, the corrupted image will have a very less number of non-noisy pixels sparsely located.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

The pipe element uses a much less number of DOF (degree-of-freedom) and it has exactly smooth configuration and high order solution of displacement.

Engineering Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing quantities, ensure clarity by specifying what is being counted or measured. For instance, use "a less number of errors" instead of just "a less number."

Common error

Avoid using "less" when "fewer" is grammatically appropriate for countable nouns. While "a less number" is acceptable, consider using "a fewer number" for strict adherence to traditional grammar rules.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a less number" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its use in comparisons, indicating a smaller quantity or amount. This contrasts with "a greater number", demonstrating its role in expressing relative quantity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

95%

Formal & Business

3%

News & Media

2%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a less number" is a grammatically sound phrase frequently used to denote a smaller quantity or amount, particularly within formal and scientific contexts. Although "a fewer number" might be preferred in some cases, Ludwig AI indicates that "a less number" is widely accepted and utilized. When writing, prioritize clarity by specifying the object being counted and considering alternative phrasing for enhanced precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a smaller number

Replaces "less" with "smaller", often used for countable items.

a reduced number

Emphasizes the act of reduction, suggesting a prior larger quantity.

a lower number

Focuses on the numerical value being lower.

a decreased number

Highlights that a decrease has occurred.

a fewer number

While grammatically questionable, this variation exists, although less accepted.

a diminished number

Indicates a reduction in importance or impact, not just quantity.

a minimal number

Emphasizes that the number is at the lowest possible level.

a scant number

Implies that the number is insufficient or barely adequate.

a trickle

Replaces "number" with a metaphor emphasizing a small flow or amount.

a handful

Expresses a very small quantity that can be contained in one hand.

FAQs

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

Use "a less number" to indicate a smaller quantity or amount, particularly in scientific or technical contexts. For instance, "a less number of errors were found in the revised report."

What's the difference between "a less number" and "a smaller number"?

While both phrases indicate a reduced quantity, "a smaller number" is generally preferred for countable items, while "a less number" is more common in technical contexts and when referring to an abstract quantity. Consider using "a smaller number" for discrete items.

Which is more grammatically correct: "a less number" or "a fewer number"?

Traditionally, "fewer" is used with countable nouns and "less" with uncountable nouns. Therefore, "a fewer number" is often considered more grammatically correct. However, "a less number" is commonly used and generally acceptable, especially in technical writing.

What are some alternatives to "a less number"?

Alternatives include "a reduced number", "a lower number", or, depending on the context, "a minimal number". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.