a less sweet

USAGE SUMMARY

'a less sweet' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate a lower degree of sweetness, either in a literal or figurative sense. For example: "I decided to make a less sweet version of my grandmother's famous lemon cake recipe for the health-conscious guests at the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The simple premise that Mr. Goldman and Mr. Nalebuff could make a less sweet but good-tasting drink was far from a glide to success, to judge by the book, "Mission in a Bottle".

The New York Times

The Starbucks website describes the toasted graham latte thusly: "Graham and sweet cream meet steamed milk and our signature espresso, then are finished off with a sprinkling of cinnamon graham crumbles for a less sweet perfect treat".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If Apple moves to another carrier (or carriers), they will undoubtedly have to take a less sweet deal for each iPhone sold.

TechCrunch

Other changes to the powder's formulation aim to tweak taste and texture, based on customer feedback — including what's touted as a less sweet, more neutral flavor, by lowering levels of natural and artificial flavors, adding less sucralose and upping the salt (sodium) content a little.

TechCrunch

(Citadelle also makes a nifty Reserve Gin that's been aged in wood for six months; it tastes a little like a less sweet Old Tom gin).

Huffington Post

A brew with a very dry finish (also called "well attenuated") will usually also have a low final gravity — less dissolved sugar in the final beer means a less sweet flavor. .

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Try an almond apricot scone ($2) or a slice of blueberry Montrachet tart ($4), a specialty of the pastry chef Liz Holland, formerly of 29 Newbury in Boston, that tastes like a less-sweet blueberry cheesecake.

The New York Times - Travel

The idea is a knockoff of a less-sweet version of DNA found in Australia, where it has been sold since the mid-1990s by SouthState Food & Beverage.

Forbes

I've even used them as toppings for fruit desserts, like a less-sweet version of a crisp.

Los Angeles Times

He underlines the candy-like flavor of roasted red kuri squash inside tortellini with a butternut squash juice that's a little less sweet, a two-note melody in the key of squash.

The New York Times - Food

The sweetener is cane sugar, not corn syrup, making them taste a tad less sweet, as a comparison of domestic and imported M & M's showed.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food or beverages, use "a less sweet" to indicate a preference for a milder taste experience, especially when comparing it to a standard or previous version.

Common error

Avoid using "a less sweet" in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise language, such as "reduced sugar content" or "lower sucrose levels", to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a less sweet" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun. It specifies a comparative reduction in sweetness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a less sweet" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that serves to describe something with reduced sweetness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears across various contexts, including news, wikis, and even scientific literature, though it tends to be less prevalent in highly formal writing. When aiming for precision in professional or scientific writing, more specific terms like "reduced sugar content" may be more suitable. However, in general usage, "a less sweet" effectively conveys a preference for a milder sweet taste.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less sugary

Focuses specifically on sugar content as opposed to overall sweetness.

with reduced sweetness

Emphasizes the act of reducing sweetness.

not as sweet

A more direct comparison to a standard level of sweetness.

lower in sweetness

Highlights the sweetness level being quantitatively lower.

mildly sweet

Indicates a subtle degree of sweetness.

subtly sweet

Suggests the sweetness is delicate and understated.

less intensely sweet

Focuses on reducing the intensity of the sweet flavor.

with a hint of sweetness

Indicates only a small amount of sweetness is present.

slightly less sweet

Implies a marginal reduction in sweetness.

not overly sweet

Emphasizes the avoidance of excessive sweetness.

FAQs

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

You can use "a less sweet" to describe a food or drink that has a reduced amount of sugar or sweetness compared to a standard version. For example, "I prefer "a less sweet dessert"" or "This recipe calls for "a less sweet sauce" than the original."

What's the difference between "a less sweet" and "less sweet"?

"A less sweet" is typically used to compare one specific item to another or a general standard (e.g., "This is "a less sweet option""). "Less sweet" (without the article "a") is used more generally to describe a characteristic or preference (e.g., "I prefer foods that are "foods less sweet"").

What can I say instead of "a less sweet"?

Alternatives include "less sugary", "with reduced sweetness", or "not as sweet", depending on the context. Each option conveys a similar meaning with slight nuances.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a less sweet"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "a less sweet" is commonly used and follows standard English grammar rules when used to modify a noun, as in "a less sweet alternative" or "a less sweet version".