a lot of less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lot of less" is not correct and not usable in written English.
It is a contradictory expression, as "a lot of" implies a large quantity while "less" implies a smaller quantity. Example: "There is a lot of less traffic today compared to yesterday."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

But Mr. Strub said research showed that people already make that mistake, taping a lot of less than compelling video.

The New York Times

As well as development in the body – the formation of breasts, testes and so on – a lot of less obvious changes are taking place in the brain.

Independent

But that price might be a lot of less than a loss of more than $100,000 that was not tax deductible.

The New York Times

Yet I'm not smiling – maybe because, like a lot of less wealthy Americans, I never went to a dentist as a child.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ms. Ohlson became known for her signature grass gardens in her former home, a lot of less than a quarter-acre in downtown Stamford.

The New York Times

If Party A wins in a lot of one-sided districts while Party B wins in a lot of less one-sided districts, Party B will end up with a bigger share of seats than votes.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

There's some striking filmmaking in "Diary of the Dead," but there's also a lot of less-than-elegant speechifying.

The New York Times

I resisted the urge to remind him that we had shared a lot of less-fashionable food than a $5 ham back in our days in Saigon, or that canned meat products were quite de rigueur with survivalist stockpilers.

The New York Times

Though his most well-known work is probably the art for last year's viral children's book Go the Fuck to Sleep, he's been working to convince people that our counterproductive prohibitions on certain substances need to end since at least 2005, when his book for kids about marijuana, It's Just a Plant, sparked a lot of less-than-level-headed debate.

Vice

A lot of less-than-stellar classes are packaged in a much more glossy way, to make them seem more appealing without actually delivering on the promise.

WikiHow

I also had a lot of anxiety, less now.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "a lot of less" in formal writing. It is grammatically incorrect and can confuse your reader. Instead, opt for phrases like "much less" or "significantly less".

Common error

A common mistake is to combine "a lot of", which implies a large quantity, with "less", which indicates a reduction. This creates a contradictory statement. To avoid this, choose a phrase that clearly indicates a smaller amount or degree.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lot of less" is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies it as contradictory. It attempts to quantify a reduction, but the combination of "a lot of" (indicating quantity) and "less" (indicating reduction) creates an illogical expression. The correct way to express reduction would be using alternatives to this phrase.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a lot of less" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in both written and spoken English. As Ludwig AI points out, the combination of "a lot of" and "less" creates a contradictory expression. More appropriate alternatives include phrases like "much less", "significantly less", or "a smaller amount", depending on the specific context. Choosing a grammatically correct and clear alternative will improve your writing and prevent confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much less

Replaces "a lot of" with "much", providing a grammatically correct way to indicate a smaller quantity.

significantly less

Emphasizes the reduction in quantity to a notable degree.

far less

Indicates a considerable difference in the reduction.

a good deal less

Uses "a good deal" to soften the reduction and maintain a slightly informal tone.

considerably less

Highlights the noticeable decrease in amount or degree.

substantially less

Similar to 'significantly less', it emphasizes the large degree of reduction.

markedly less

Implies that the reduction is easily observed or noticed.

appreciably less

Indicates that the reduction is large enough to be important or significant.

a smaller amount

Offers a more literal and straightforward expression of reduced quantity.

reduced quantity

Uses formal language to denote a decreased number or amount.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "a lot of less" in a sentence?

Replace "a lot of less" with phrases like "much less" or "significantly less" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

What's a more formal way to say "a lot of less"?

Instead of "a lot of less", use phrases such as "a smaller amount" or "reduced quantity" for a more formal tone.

Is "a lot of less" ever considered acceptable in informal contexts?

While "a lot of less" is generally considered grammatically incorrect, it might be used in very informal speech. However, it's best to avoid it even in casual conversation to prevent confusion. Instead, use "much less" or another similar option.

What are some alternatives to "a lot of less" that emphasize a significant reduction?

To emphasize a notable decrease, consider using phrases like "considerably less" or "substantially less" instead of "a lot of less".