absolutely less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolutely less" is not correct and is generally not usable in written English.
It is a contradictory expression since "absolutely" implies a totality that cannot coexist with "less," which denotes a comparative degree. Example: "This option is absolutely less effective than the previous one."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

She was also "more irritable, more reactive, less present and absolutely less joyful in my life.

The Guardian

Those two options, he agreed, were "absolutely" less available to Aboriginal people.

The Guardian

This is true even though B may be absolutely less efficient than A in the production of both commodities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Now, Siri is absolutely less good than Google Assistant when it comes to being a phone assistant, but a lot of these shortcomings don't translate as jarringly to the HomePod.

TechCrunch

Thus, compared to the average trematode species operating stolen host bodies, uninfected snails may allocate absolutely less to both direct reproductive output and to growth.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Relatively more strong acid sites are retained during hydrothermal treatment and the amount of tetrahedrally coordinated framework aluminium (TFAl) species that are expelled from the framework is either relatively or absolutely less than in unmodified samples.

Chemical Society Reviews

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"Absolutely no less traffic".

The New York Times

"I could absolutely care less on yards per game," Smith said.

The New York Times

But for all their activist sensibilities, Oz is absolutely no less a circus.

The Guardian

For one thing, the FLGS3 Series lens, as it's called, is absolutely miniscule occupying less than a cubic millimeter.

MIT Technology Review

But in any case, these stars, subject to pay cuts of 25%-40%-40%earninglessly earning less with us than they can get elsewhere and that includes Jonathan".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize a smaller quantity, consider using "significantly less" or "noticeably fewer" for more impact.

Common error

Avoid using "absolutely less" as it combines an intensifier with a comparative, creating redundancy and potentially confusing your message. Choose either a strong qualifier or a comparative, but not both.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely less" is intended to act as a comparative quantifier, but it is grammatically questionable. As Ludwig AI states, it is considered a contradictory expression because "absolutely" implies totality while "less" implies a comparison. Although Ludwig shows the phrase in some sources, its non-standard nature may lead to misunderstanding.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "absolutely less" appears in various contexts, including News & Media and scientific articles, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect due to the contradictory nature of combining "absolutely" (total) with "less" (comparative). Ludwig AI confirms this assessment, suggesting alternative phrasings like "definitely less" or "certainly lower". For clearer and more effective communication, particularly in formal or professional settings, it's advisable to avoid "absolutely less" and opt for more standard expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

definitely less

Replaces "absolutely" with "definitely" to soften the emphasis on certainty.

certainly less

Substitutes "absolutely" with "certainly" to indicate a high degree of confidence but with slightly less force.

undoubtedly less

Uses "undoubtedly" instead of "absolutely" to suggest that something is unquestionably smaller or fewer.

categorically less

Replaces "absolutely" with "categorically" to emphasize that the reduction is without exception.

noticeably less

Substitutes "absolutely" with "noticeably" focusing on the ease with which the decrease can be observed.

considerably less

Uses "considerably" instead of "absolutely" to show that the decrease is substantial.

appreciably less

Replaces "absolutely" with "appreciably" to highlight that the reduction is significant enough to be recognized.

markedly less

Substitutes "absolutely" with "markedly" to indicate that the decrease is clearly noticeable.

distinctly less

Uses "distinctly" instead of "absolutely" to point out that the reduction is unambiguously clear.

plainly less

Replaces "absolutely" with "plainly" to suggest that the reduction is obvious or easily understood.

FAQs

Is "absolutely less" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "absolutely less" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. "Absolutely" implies a totality that doesn't align with the comparative nature of "less". Ludwig AI confirms that it's a contradictory expression.

What are some alternatives to "absolutely less"?

You can use alternatives such as "definitely less", "certainly less", or "noticeably less" depending on the context.

When can I use "absolutely" with a comparative adjective?

While "absolutely less" is not standard, "absolutely" can be used with adjectives that don't inherently express comparison, such as "absolutely necessary" or "absolutely certain". However, it's better to use alternative phrasing to "absolutely less" to avoid ambiguity.

How does the meaning change if I replace "absolutely less" with "much less"?

Replacing "absolutely less" with "much less" creates a more acceptable and common phrase. "Much less" indicates a significantly smaller quantity or degree. For example, "The new model consumes much less energy" is clearer than using "absolutely less".