and less that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and less that" is not correct in English and does not convey a clear meaning.
It seems to be a typographical error or a misphrasing. A more appropriate phrase might be "and less than." Example: "The budget for the project should be $10,000 and less than that would not be feasible."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Outsourcing, offloading and privatising leaves less of the state and less that is ostensibly ours, even though it is still paid for by our taxes.

The Guardian

Transport is one of the particulate matter emission sources of the size of 10 μm (PM10) and less that are harmful to humans and nature in general, have been studied.

Measurement

But while Mr. Schundler was pouring forth with proposals for tax and toll cuts, a complicated overhaul of the public education system, and other ambitious measures, Mr. McGreevey said little that was specific and less that was controversial.

The New York Times

Labour's manifesto contains little that's new and less that's arresting.

The Guardian - Opinion

Given the perception of acceleration, the knowledge of the past seemed to offer less and less that was useful for solving future problems.

European Journal of Futures Research

According to the above figure, the majority of the users gave a marking '2' to all the questions, while there are several users that ranked the application with the best mark '1' and less that gave a mark '3' (mark that denotes a neutral opinion).

European Transport Research Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

There are very few who have the qualifications and even less that can pass the Board Reviews, Tests and Peer Evaluations.

WikiHow

"It's time for full transparency and anything less that full disclosure smacks of cover-up".

The Guardian

Money spent on income taxes reduces your net worth and leaves less that could be subject to estate taxes.

The New York Times

Zingales, on the other hand, looks at the same picture and sees less that's worth defending.

The New York Times

There is little that amazes me and even less that shocks me.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical precision, replace "and less that" with options like "and fewer than" or "and lower than" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "and less that" because it commonly results from mixing up 'than' (used for comparisons) with 'that' (used to introduce clauses). Ensure you use 'than' to correctly compare quantities or values.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and less that" functions as a conjunction, attempting to connect two ideas while indicating a reduction or comparison. However, Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as not correct, suggesting it's a typographical error or misphrasing. The intended meaning is often better conveyed using "than" for comparisons.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "and less that" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI flags the expression as non-standard and suggests it is likely a typographical error for "and less than". While the phrase appears in a variety of sources including News & Media, Science, and Wiki, it is best to avoid it in formal writing. Alternatives like "and fewer than", "and lower than", or "and smaller than" offer greater clarity and grammatical accuracy. To ensure effective communication, it's advisable to replace "and less that" with a more suitable phrase depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

and fewer than

Emphasizes a smaller quantity or number, focusing on countability.

and lower than

Highlights a reduced value or amount, suitable for comparisons of magnitude.

and smaller than

Indicates a reduction in size or extent, ideal for physical dimensions or abstract scales.

and below that

Specifies a position or level underneath a certain point, useful for hierarchical arrangements.

and under that

Similar to 'below that', but with a slightly less formal tone.

and a lesser amount

Focuses on the quantity being smaller, suitable when the amount is crucial.

and a reduced level

Highlights a decreased state or stage, appropriate for processes or systems.

and even less than that

Emphasizes the diminishment and adds a touch of surprise.

and a smaller quantity

Highlights the reduction in the amount of something, often measurable.

and comparatively less

Draws attention to the relative reduction between two items.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "and less that" in a sentence?

The phrase "and less that" is generally grammatically incorrect. Instead, use alternatives like "and fewer than" or "and lower than" depending on the context.

What's a better way to phrase "and less that"?

Depending on the context, you could use "and smaller than", "and below that", or "and under that" for a more accurate and grammatically sound sentence.

Which is correct, "and less that" or "and less than"?

"And less than" is the correct phrasing. "And less that" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Use "than" when making comparisons.

What does "and less that" mistakenly imply?

The phrase "and less that" does not have a clear meaning. It's usually interpreted as a mistake for a comparative statement. A better approach is to rephrase using "and fewer than" or "and lower than".