a small less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small less" is not correct in written English.
It is not a standard expression and does not convey a clear meaning in English. Example: "I would like a small less of the sauce, please."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

BMW said it would offer a small, less expensive car, the 1-Series, in 2004.

The New York Times

TEDx attendees may be charged a small (less than $100) fee to help cover conference costs.

Harvard Business Review

Finally, from the Mangbetu also comes a small, less aggrandizing piece, with paired figures and transcendental functions.

The New York Times - Arts

The result: elephant cells, growing in a dish in a lab, in which elephant genomes contained a small – less than 0.0001% – but important fraction of mammoth DNA.

The Guardian

By Rupert Koopman, botanist at Cape Nature Green Point Park has a small (less than a hectare) but very well put-together indigenous garden, with examples of local vegetation types as well as medicinal and useful plants.

The Guardian - Travel

But he prefers to entertain guests next door, in a small, less formal room, whose walls, from wainscot to ceiling, he has lined with rare German advertising posters from before the First World War.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Oysters are priced at a low $1 each from 6 30 p.m. to 8 30 p.m. "We want customers to be able to come in and have a small, less-expensive meal as an alternative to committing to a big meal," he said.

The New York Times

Also due in 2006 from the same architecture is a small, less-expensive Jeep, and (we hear) a version of this vehicle for Dodge dealers.

Forbes

Orange County scored much worse on water quality tests in the first year than did Santa Cruz, which is a small, less-developed watershed.

Environmental Health Perspectives

The cafe offers a smaller, less expensive menu.

The New York Times - Food

He called for a smaller, less consequential federal government.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to express a slight reduction, replace "a small less" with grammatically correct alternatives like "a little less" or "slightly less" to ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid combining "small" directly with "less" as it creates a grammatically awkward and unclear expression. "Small" typically modifies countable items, while "less" is used for uncountable ones. Instead, use "a little less" or "slightly less" to denote a minor reduction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small less" attempts to function as a modifier, aiming to indicate a slight reduction in quantity. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect in standard English, which impacts its effectiveness in formal communication.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a small less" appears across various contexts, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Its intended function is to express a slight reduction, but it's more appropriate to use alternatives such as "a little less" or "slightly less" to ensure clarity and correctness. Usage is more frequent in news and scientific contexts, but its informal nature makes it unsuitable for formal or professional writing. Therefore, writers should opt for grammatically sound alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little less

Focuses on quantity using "little" instead of "small" to align with common usage for non-countable nouns or abstract concepts.

slightly less

Replaces "small" with "slightly" indicating a marginal degree of reduction, making it grammatically correct.

a bit less

Uses "bit" as a colloquial term to indicate a small quantity, replacing "small" for better grammatical flow.

marginally less

Emphasizes that the reduction is small or marginal, adding precision to the statement.

somewhat less

Uses "somewhat" to suggest a moderate decrease, providing a clearer indication of the extent of reduction.

a shade less

Expresses a very slight decrease, often used informally to describe minimal differences.

minimally less

Indicates that the reduction is at the smallest degree possible, conveying precision.

barely less

Suggests that the reduction is so small it's almost negligible.

just a little less

Amplifies the small quantity with "just", adding emphasis to the slight reduction.

hardly any less

Conveys that there is almost no reduction at all, emphasizing the minimal difference.

FAQs

What are better alternatives to "a small less"?

Instead of "a small less", consider using alternatives such as "a little less" or "slightly less" depending on the context to ensure grammatical correctness.

Is "a small less" grammatically correct?

No, "a small less" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Using "a little less" is a more appropriate way to convey a similar meaning.

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

You can use "a little less" in a sentence to indicate a minor reduction, such as: "Could you add a little less sugar to my coffee, please?"

What's the difference between "a small less" and "slightly less"?

"A small less" is not grammatically correct. "Slightly less" is the correct way to express a marginal reduction. For example: "The new model consumes slightly less fuel than the previous one."