be less harmonious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be less harmonious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, relationship, or interaction that is not as agreeable or in sync as it could be. Example: "The recent changes in management have caused the team dynamics to be less harmonious than before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This week, though, could be less harmonious.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

On this occasion the marriage was less harmonious.

The Guardian

But a few relationships were less harmonious, especially early on, and this proved an issue when it came to the freight elevator, which was originally hand-operated.

The New York Times

However, matters are less harmonious in Books IV, V, and VI of The Faerie Queene, which appeared in 1596 and are strikingly more ambiguous and ironic than the first three books.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the topic of conversation was less harmonious: the growing political tensions between the tiny states, all once part of the Soviet Union, and their large, still powerful neighbour, Russia.

Independent

First, pairs containing cool colors are generally both more harmonious and more preferred (toward the upper right quadrant) than pairs containing warm colors, which are less harmonious and less preferred (toward the lower left quadrant).

Attention, Perception & Psychophysics

But the land deal has been less than harmonious.

The New York Times

His relations with the shadow foreign secretary have been less than harmonious.

The Guardian

Together they strive to make works that illuminate the natural world through movement and sound, but the results are less than harmonious.

The New York Times - Arts

However, Martino's stint in Barcelona was less than harmonious and he left with a year still to run on his contract.

The Guardian - Sport

Ms Knowles told the court the surgery was "less than harmonious", and spoke about a dentist in the surgery requesting not to work with Kaur and in turn Kaur refusing to work with another dentist.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "more discordant" or "less agreeable" to add nuance or formality to your writing depending on the situation.

Common error

While "be less harmonious" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your writing sound casual. In such cases, opt for synonyms like "more discordant" or "less unified".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be less harmonious" functions as a descriptive expression, typically serving as a predicative complement to describe a state or condition that has become less unified or agreeable. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, and examples demonstrate its applicability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

19%

Encyclopedias

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be less harmonious" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a decline in unity, agreement, or pleasantness. According to Ludwig, it's versatile and applicable across various contexts, though its usage may be more suited for neutral or informal settings than highly formal ones. While authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ it, consider using synonyms like "more discordant" for added emphasis or "less agreeable" for focusing on a reduction in pleasantness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be more disharmonious

A more formal synonym, emphasizing the lack of harmony.

be less agreeable

Focuses on a decrease in pleasantness or willingness to agree.

be less compatible

Indicates a reduced ability to coexist or work together effectively.

be less unified

Suggests a decrease in cohesion or solidarity within a group or entity.

be more discordant

Emphasizes a stronger sense of disagreement or conflict compared to the original phrase.

be less coordinated

Focuses on the absence of effective organization or collaboration.

be more strained

Suggests a tension or difficulty in the relationship or situation.

be more conflicting

Highlights the presence of conflict or opposing viewpoints.

be in greater conflict

Focuses explicitly on the presence and degree of conflict.

be less settled

Highlights the instability and the lack of a definitive resolution.

FAQs

How can I use "be less harmonious" in a sentence?

You can use "be less harmonious" to describe situations where agreement or unity has decreased. For example: "Since the merger, the team dynamics are expected to be less harmonious."

What's a more formal alternative to "be less harmonious"?

For formal contexts, consider using phrases like "be more discordant" or "be less unified" which convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "be less harmonious"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules, as confirmed by Ludwig.

How does "be less harmonious" compare to "be more discordant"?

"Be less harmonious" suggests a general decline in agreement or unity, while "be more discordant" emphasizes a stronger sense of conflict or disagreement.