be less solid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be less solid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not as firm, stable, or definite, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "In order to foster creativity, we need to allow our ideas to be less solid and more fluid."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Yet even the cuts plan may be less solid than it appears.

The Guardian

It would have to respond with a monetary squeeze, killing growth.In the same Datafolha poll 66% of respondents said they want the next president to act differently from Ms Rousseff, a generic yearning for change that suggests her support may be less solid than it seems.

The Economist

In this regard, the diagnostic stability of probable diagnosis in headache outpatients may be considered to be less solid, because many clinicians generally give a probable diagnosis when the clinical characteristics or time-based history do not meet the diagnostic criteria of ICHD-3β [3, 4, 14].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

They may be less solid in their opposition to Pelosi than many may think, and they may also be looking to avoid the backlash the letter is certain to bring.

Huffington Post

Our findings are mainly in line with existing epidemiological evidence, although the magnitude of the risk estimates obtained and their precision may be less solid than the precision of multicenter studies conducted in larger cities.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This was less solid than "social Darwinism".

The New Yorker

But support for United Russia is less solid.

The Guardian

The newly thickened firewall is less solid than it appears.

The Economist

There are less solid bases on which to build a national team.

The Guardian - Sport

It is less solid than some but that means it packs down well when empty.

Independent

In terms of helping older children and adolescents who have experienced early trauma, the research is less solid.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be less solid" in a metaphorical sense, ensure the context clearly indicates what aspect is becoming less firm, such as "plans" or "evidence."

Common error

Avoid using "be less solid" excessively in abstract contexts where the meaning becomes vague. Ensure the comparison to solidity has a clear and understandable basis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be less solid" primarily functions as a copular verb phrase, where "be" links a subject to a predicate adjective phrase. It describes a state of diminished firmness, stability, or reliability. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through examples showing varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be less solid" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey a reduction in firmness, stability, or reliability. While relatively rare, as shown by Ludwig, it appears in both News & Media and Scientific contexts. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its appropriateness for describing various scenarios, ranging from physical attributes to abstract concepts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what is becoming less firm to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be less firm

Directly indicates a reduction in firmness or stability.

be less stable

Focuses on a decrease in steadiness and reliability.

be more flexible

Emphasizes adaptability and willingness to adjust to different circumstances.

be less concrete

Refers to a reduction in tangibility or definiteness.

be more fluid

Suggests adaptability and changeability, implying a move away from rigidity.

be less unshakeable

Focuses on a decline in the ability to withstand pressure or doubt.

be less dependable

Highlights a reduction in the capacity to be relied upon.

be less robust

Indicates a decrease in strength and resilience.

be less sturdy

Suggests a reduction in structural integrity and strength.

be less established

Implies a weakening in foundations and groundwork.

FAQs

What does "be less solid" mean?

The phrase "be less solid" means to become less firm, stable, or reliable. It can be used literally to describe physical objects or metaphorically to describe ideas, plans, or relationships.

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

You can use "be less solid" to describe anything that is losing its stability or firmness. For example: "The evidence is "be less solid" than we initially thought."

What can I say instead of "be less solid"?

You can use alternatives like "be more flexible", "be less firm", or "be less stable" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "be less solid"?

It's appropriate when describing a decrease in physical firmness or metaphorical stability. For example, you might say, "His support began to "be less solid" after the scandal."