a lot less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a lot less' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that an amount of something is much smaller than before. For example: "After the fee increase, I had a lot less money left over in my bank account."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A lot less".

The New York Times

That was a lot less.

The New York Times

"He's a lot less brattish".

Independent

"It's a lot less daunting".

The New York Times - Sports

A Lot Less.

The New York Times

Sometimes a lot less.

The New Yorker

You can get a lot less done.

The New York Times

"You use a lot less energy.

The New York Times

There's a lot less electricity now.

The New Yorker

"It felt a lot less secure.

The New York Times

You get cursed out a lot less".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a lot less" to compare quantities, amounts, or intensities, emphasizing a significant reduction. For example: "I spend a lot less time commuting since I started working from home."

Common error

While "a lot less" is acceptable in many contexts, consider using more formal alternatives like "significantly less" or "considerably fewer" in academic or business writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lot less" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating a significant degree of reduction. As Ludwig AI shows, it modifies nouns, verbs, or adjectives to express a comparative decrease in quantity, intensity, or frequency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lot less" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a considerable reduction in quantity, intensity, or frequency. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, although it suggests considering more formal alternatives for academic or business writing. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media sources, reflecting its neutral register. Remember to use "fewer" with countable nouns and "less" with uncountable nouns for grammatical accuracy. When writing, be mindful of the context and choose the most appropriate phrase to convey the intended meaning with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably fewer

Emphasizes a notable reduction in number.

significantly smaller

Highlights a marked decrease in size or extent.

substantially reduced

Focuses on the action of decreasing to a significant degree.

appreciably diminished

Indicates a noticeable decline or reduction.

markedly decreased

Stresses a distinct and obvious reduction.

noticeably lighter

Implies a reduction in weight or burden.

measurably lower

Suggests a quantifiable reduction in value or level.

distinctly curtailed

Highlights a clear limitation or reduction.

far from

Indicates something is not close to a certain degree or level.

nowhere near

Indicates that something does not reach or approach a particular level.

FAQs

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

Use "a lot less" to indicate a significant reduction in quantity, amount, or intensity. For example, "I have "a lot less" stress since I quit my job".

What are some alternatives to "a lot less"?

You can use alternatives like "considerably fewer", "significantly smaller", or "substantially reduced" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use "fewer" or "less" with "a lot"?

Use "fewer" for countable nouns (e.g., "a lot fewer people") and "less" for uncountable nouns (e.g., "a lot less time").

When should I avoid using "a lot less"?

In formal writing, you might prefer more sophisticated alternatives like "appreciably diminished" or "markedly decreased".