are easier than

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "are easier than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare two things to indicate that one is easier than the other. For example: "Adding two numbers is easier than solving a complex algebra equation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Questions are easier than answers.

The Economist

SOME audiences are easier than others.

The Economist

Words, of course, are easier than deeds.

The New York Times

Poems are easier than pie.

The New Yorker

Endings are easier than beginnings?

The New Yorker

Manifestos are easier than the great books.

The New York Times - Arts

Some weeks are easier than others.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Some places are easier than others.

The New York Times - Travel

Some marks are easier than others.

The Guardian - Books

New hips are easier than new sitcoms.

The Guardian

Some decisions are easier than others.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are easier than", ensure that the items being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "easier" without a clear comparison. Saying "This task is easier" is vague; specify what it's easier than for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are easier than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. Ludwig indicates that it correctly compares the relative difficulty between two subjects, as demonstrated in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

20%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are easier than" is a common and grammatically sound comparative expression used to indicate that one thing presents less difficulty than another. As Ludwig highlights, it's versatile, appearing frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it's crucial to ensure clear comparisons to maintain clarity. Remember to avoid vague statements; always specify what is "easier than" what.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are less challenging than

Emphasizes a reduction in the level of challenge involved.

are simpler than

Focuses on the reduced complexity involved.

are more straightforward than

Highlights the directness and lack of complications.

are not as difficult as

Expresses a lower degree of difficulty in a negative construction.

are a breeze compared to

Uses an informal idiom to convey ease.

are a piece of cake in comparison to

Uses a more figurative idiom than the query.

pose less of a problem than

Shifts the focus to the problems something presents.

require less effort than

Focuses on the amount of effort expended.

are more manageable than

Focuses on the ease of control or handling.

are less demanding than

Focuses on the requirements or expectations involved.

FAQs

How do I use "are easier than" in a sentence?

Use "are easier than" to compare the relative difficulty of two tasks or concepts. For example, "Solving simple equations "are easier than" solving complex ones".

What's a more formal alternative to "are easier than"?

In formal contexts, consider using "are less challenging than" or "are simpler than" for a more professional tone.

Is it always necessary to specify what something is easier than?

Yes, for clarity and to avoid ambiguity, it's best to always specify the basis of comparison when using "are easier than".

How does "are easier than" compare to "are more easily"?

"Are easier than" is used to compare the difficulty of tasks, while "are more easily" describes how readily something can be done. For example, "Tasks "are easier than" expected", versus "These tasks "are more easily" completed with the right tools".