be less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be less than" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to compare two quantities or values, with the first being smaller or lower than the second. Here are a few examples of how to use it in a sentence: - The temperature must be less than 80 degrees if we want the ice to stay frozen. - The budget for the project needs to be less than $10,000 in order for it to be approved. - I'm sorry, but your score on the test is less than the passing grade. - He promised to be here in ten minutes or less, but it's already been 20 minutes. - The weight of the package must be less than 50 pounds to qualify for the cheaper shipping option.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Conditions will be less than ideal.

The New York Times - Sports

That may be less than candid.

The Economist

A It'll be less than 50 percent.

The New York Times

I can't be less than I feel.

The New York Times

(Typically, this can be less than 1kg).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It will be less than some people wanted.

The New York Times

The "magic of the market" may be less than magical.

The New York Times

"Your expenses have to be less than your revenues.

The New York Times

It's turned out to be less than half this.

The Guardian

Crucially, the evidence must be less than two years old.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Even so, our behavior online can be... less than charming.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be less than" in technical writing, ensure the units of measurement are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "the concentration should be less than 5 mg/L" is more precise than "the concentration should be less than 5."

Common error

Avoid using "less than" with countable nouns. "Less than" should be used with uncountable nouns, while "fewer than" is appropriate for countable nouns. For example, it's correct to say "there were fewer than 10 students present", not "there were less than 10 students present".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be less than" functions as a comparative operator, primarily used to establish a numerical or qualitative relationship indicating inferiority. It establishes that one entity or value is smaller, lower, or of a lesser extent than another. This is consistent with Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

42%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be less than" is a versatile comparative expression used to indicate that one quantity or value is smaller than another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It's crucial to distinguish between "less than" (for uncountable nouns) and "fewer than" (for countable nouns) to maintain grammatical accuracy. From the provided examples, the expression is commonly found in News & Media and Science, suggesting a broad applicability across both formal and informal contexts. Using "be less than" effectively involves ensuring clarity in units of measurement and choosing appropriate alternatives like "be smaller than" or "not exceed" depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be smaller than

Emphasizes a difference in size or amount.

be lower than

Highlights a difference in degree, rank, or value.

be fewer than

Specifically used for countable items; indicates a smaller number.

not greater than

States that something must not be larger or more significant.

be below

Denotes a position or level that is lower.

be under

Suggests a level, amount, or age that is below a certain point.

be inferior to

Indicates a lower quality or status.

not exceed

Specifies an upper limit that should not be surpassed.

fall short of

Implies that something fails to reach a required or expected standard.

pale in comparison to

Highlights a significant difference where one thing is much less impressive than another.

FAQs

How do I use "be less than" in a sentence?

The phrase "be less than" is used to compare two values, indicating that the first value is smaller or lower than the second. For example, "The cost should be less than $100", or "The duration should be less than an hour".

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

You can use alternatives such as "be smaller than", "be lower than", or "be inferior to" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "less than" or "fewer than"?

"Less than" is used with uncountable nouns, while "fewer than" is used with countable nouns. For example, "less water" (uncountable) and "fewer people" (countable).

What is the difference between "be less than" and "not exceed"?

"Be less than" indicates a value must be strictly smaller, while "not exceed" means the value can be equal to or smaller than a given limit. For instance, "the time should be less than 30 minutes" versus "the time should not exceed 30 minutes".