across the less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "across the less" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It seems to be an incomplete or incorrect expression, and without context, it cannot be used appropriately. Example: "The project was challenging, but we managed to get across the less traveled path."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Bear in mind that the more hysterical, emotional or paranoid your writing comes across, the less seriously your letter is taken.

WikiHow

But there is another side to Tresco: in the morning I cycle across the less populated side of the island, bumping past farmland, under pine trees and palms and a blustery blue sky.

The Guardian - Travel

It demonstrates a clear need for future research to be expanded across the less well studied compounds, particularly those identified as posing environmental risk.

Environmental Science & Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Rather, Hatleberg's photographs are a collection of subdued moments, captured during a months-long journey (made with the support of a grant from the Magnum Foundation) across the less-travelled reaches of the state.

The New Yorker

A wide range of recent studies had suggested that wealthy Americans are, across the board, less generous than less wealthy Americans.

Los Angeles Times

That was before it received less than across-the-board raves.

The New York Times

Across the board, the less expensive wines outpointed the others.

The New York Times - Food

The more that the bonds of community cut across race lines, the less that policing will take the form of racial exclusion.

Huffington Post

Across the Adriatic, less then two miles away, stood the stark, snow-clad mountains of Albania.

The New York Times - Travel

Across the street, less than a hundred yards away you'll find Villa Capri.

The Guardian - Travel

ISIS or ISIL, are also just across the border, less than an hour away.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to use a comparative structure, ensure the sentence clearly indicates what is being compared. Consider rephrasing to use "smaller", "fewer", or a more descriptive adjective.

Common error

Avoid using "across the less" without a clear noun or context following it. This phrase often lacks meaning because it doesn't specify what is 'less' or what is being traversed. Complete the comparative structure to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "across the less" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase but often lacks a clear grammatical role due to its incomplete comparative structure. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, the phrase is commonly incorrect, suggesting its unsuitability for formal writing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "across the less" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and has limited practical usage. While it appears in some contexts like News & Media and Science, its grammatical ambiguity makes it unsuitable for formal or precise communication. Ludwig AI identifies potential grammatical issues. Instead, consider using alternative phrases such as "through the lesser" or "over the smaller" to convey your intended meaning more effectively. Always ensure your comparative structures are complete and grammatically sound for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through the lesser

Replaces "across" with "through", slightly altering the sense of movement or direction while maintaining the comparison.

over the smaller

Substitutes "across" with "over" and "less" with "smaller", focusing on physical size.

through the reduced

Similar to 'through the lesser' but uses 'reduced' to stress a state of being made smaller or fewer.

covering the diminished

Replaces "across" with "covering" and uses "diminished" instead of "less", emphasizing a reduction or decrease.

traversing the lower

Replaces 'across' with 'traversing', adding a sense of active movement, and using 'lower' to indicate position or status.

spanning the minimal

Emphasizes the act of spanning something, with 'minimal' indicating the lowest amount or degree.

through the fewer

Focuses on a reduced number, using 'fewer' to specify that something is numerically less.

reaching the scarcer

Alters the preposition to 'reaching' and replaces 'less' with 'scarcer' indicating rarity.

over the scant

Uses 'scant' to imply a meager or insufficient quantity, changing the focus from comparison to quantity.

covering the trivial

Emphasizes that the thing is not important, using 'trivial' to describe something small in quantity or quality.

FAQs

How can I correctly use a phrase like "across the less" in a sentence?

The phrase "across the less" is often grammatically incorrect. You might consider rephrasing to provide a complete comparative structure, for example by using phrases such as "through the lesser" or "over the smaller" depending on the intended meaning.

What are some alternatives to "across the less"?

Depending on the context, consider alternatives such as "through the lesser", "over the smaller", or "covering the diminished".

Is "across the less" grammatically correct?

Generally, "across the less" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's typically improved by adding a noun or restructuring the sentence to provide a complete comparison. Ludwig AI identifies potential grammatical issues.

When should I use "across the less"?

Because the phrase is considered incorrect, it's best to avoid using "across the less". Instead, choose a more precise and grammatically sound alternative that clearly expresses the intended meaning.