again less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "again less than" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you are comparing quantities or values that are repeatedly less than a certain amount. Example: "The temperature today is again less than what we expected for this time of year."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Agee did it again less than an hour later.

The New York Times - Sports

The ships are on their way again less than 15 hours after they dock.

The Economist

She would follow him to Hawaii only to leave him again, less than three years later.

The New York Times - Magazine

Once again, less than 40 percent of the money came from tax increases.

The New York Times

The Commerce Department reported that retail sales fell slightly in February — again, less than forecast.

The New York Times

The Devils scored again less than a minute and a half later.

The New York Times - Sports

Gepper decided to try again less than a year later, in July 2014.

The Guardian - Business

But when I offer Darling the chance to say exactly that, he is again less than enthusiastic.

The Guardian

This has probably had some impact, though again less than many would imagine, and not necessarily in the ways anticipated.

The Guardian - Opinion

The centre of the town had been wrecked by a fucking bomb two minutes again, less than that.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Again, less-than-credible reports from less-than-credible people were used to confirm assumptions that intelligence analysts should not have allowed themselves to believe so strongly in the first place.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "again less than", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared and what the baseline is. Rephrasing can often improve clarity, especially in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "again less than" without a clear reference point. Ensure the reader knows what the comparison is relative to. For example, instead of saying "Profits were again less than expected", specify "Profits were again less than expected, falling short by 10% this quarter."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "again less than" functions primarily as a comparative phrase. It indicates that something is not only below a certain threshold but that this situation has occurred previously, introducing an element of repetition. Ludwig's examples confirm its role in comparative statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

35%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "again less than" is a frequently used comparative phrase indicating a recurrence of something being below a certain threshold. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests that it can sometimes sound awkward and may benefit from rewording for clarity. Its primary function is to convey a recurring deficiency, often in contexts like news and science. For more formal writing, alternatives like "once more below" or "repeatedly lower than" may provide greater clarity. Remember to always ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being compared and the baseline reference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once more below

Replaces "again less than" with a more direct way of expressing a repeated lower value.

yet again under

Emphasizes the repetitive nature of being below a certain level.

repeatedly lower than

Focuses on the repetitive nature of the quantity being lower.

once more not exceeding

Uses a more formal tone to indicate that something doesn't exceed a certain limit.

again, not as much as

Rephrases to clarify that something is not reaching a particular quantity or level, with 'again' separated by a comma.

once again smaller than

Directly states that something is smaller in comparison, repeating the event.

still inferior to

Indicates something remains at a lower quality/quantity compared to the other with a slightly stronger negative connotation.

recurrently beneath

Uses 'recurrently' for repetition, placing the object beneath a value.

frequently under

Implies 'often' instead of 'again', something happened many times under the threshold.

repeatedly falling short of

Emphasizes the failure to reach a specific target over time.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "again less than" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, try alternatives such as "once more below", "repeatedly lower than", or "once more not exceeding". These phrases offer greater clarity and sophistication in professional writing.

Is it grammatically incorrect to use "again less than"?

While not strictly incorrect, "again less than" can sound awkward. Ludwig AI suggests that while acceptable, rewording often improves clarity and flow in writing.

What are some common contexts where "again less than" is used?

"Again less than" is commonly found in "news and media" and "scientific publications", often comparing quantities or values that repeatedly fall below a certain threshold.

What phrases are semantically similar to "again less than"?

Phrases with close meaning are "yet again under", "still inferior to", and "recurrently beneath". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.