bent on less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bent on less" is not a standard expression in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where someone is determined to reduce something, but it lacks clarity without additional context. Example: "In a world obsessed with excess, she was bent on less, seeking simplicity in her life."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And he is bent on less — far less — no matter the true state of the economy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Believers in the literal truth of the Bible, the Gospel Outreach missionaries were bent on nothing less than the conversion of the Americas.

The Guardian

In effect, Brady is bent on nothing less than subverting the standard expectations of how long a superstar quarterback can play like one.

The New York Times - Magazine

For a president bent on implementing reforms, "less can be more" – less aggressiveness and less ego.

The Guardian - Opinion

Suddenly, the dull, personality-less Rams are bent on becoming one of the most physical, gambling defenses in the league, and its players, such as free safety Pat Terrell, defensive end Bill Hawkins and cornerback Darryl Henley, are emerging as characters in this defensive glasnost.

Los Angeles Times

The group's goal of incorporating eastern Syria into a new state may have dovetailed with the Syrian government's moves to concentrate its overstretched forces in the west, while chasing out floods of Sunni refugees.As it increasingly dawned that ISIS was less bent on toppling Mr Assad's regime than in creating one of its own, clashes between the rebels began to erupt.

The Economist

Aging, like me, they seem less bent on glaring back than looking inward.

The New York Times

And unlike established magazines, Chow is far more irreverent and less bent on establishing foodie credentials.

The New York Times - Food

The new prime minister may face pressure to be cautious if that term can any longer be applied in Japan to doing nothing and replace Mr Yanigasawa with someone less bent on reform.

The Economist

When we were in Morocco, and before that in Tunisia or Liberia or Libya, I came to understand that the news was a different story than what was going on around me, and fundamentally the people were much cooler and nicer and less bent on terror than what I would have thought had I only read the papers.

BBC

This is a triumph from a certain perspective — one bent on minimizing labor but able to run through a glut of resources less stingily.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternatives like "focused on reducing" or "aiming for less" if the phrase "bent on less" sounds awkward or unclear to your target audience.

Common error

Avoid using "bent on less" without specifying what is being reduced. The phrase can be vague if the object of reduction isn't explicitly stated or easily inferred from the context. Ensure clarity by being specific.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bent on less" functions as an adjective phrase describing a subject's determination to reduce something. While grammatically sound, it's not a conventional expression. Ludwig identifies limited usage and advises caution, suggesting it may lack clarity without further context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bent on less" signifies a strong determination to reduce something, though it's not a particularly common expression. Ludwig identifies it as grammatically acceptable but potentially lacking clarity without sufficient context. Its primary function is to describe someone's commitment to minimalism or reduction, predominantly appearing in news and media contexts. While phrases like "focused on reducing" or "aiming for less" offer more conventional alternatives, "bent on less" can add emphasis when used judiciously. However, as Ludwig AI warns, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being minimized to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

focused on reducing

Emphasizes active concentration on diminishing something.

determined to minimize

Highlights a firm decision to lessen something to the smallest possible degree.

intent on decreasing

Stresses the intention to make something smaller or fewer.

committed to lowering

Indicates a dedication to bringing something down to a lower level.

aiming for less

Suggests a goal of achieving a smaller amount or simpler state.

pursuing minimalism

Highlights the active seeking of a lifestyle or approach characterized by simplicity and reduction.

striving for simplicity

Emphasizes the effort made to attain a state of being uncomplicated and straightforward.

inclined towards reduction

Suggests a natural tendency to favor or move in the direction of lessening something.

geared towards simplification

Implies that efforts are directed towards making something easier to understand or use by reducing complexity.

set on curtailing

Highlights a determined effort to restrict or limit something.

FAQs

How can I use "bent on less" in a sentence?

You can use "bent on less" to describe someone determined to reduce something, like "The president was bent on less government spending". For alternatives, consider phrases like "focused on reducing" or "aiming for less".

What does "bent on less" mean?

"Bent on less" implies a strong determination to decrease or minimize something. The meaning depends heavily on the context in which it is used.

Is there a more common way to express the same idea as "bent on less"?

Yes, you can use more common phrases such as "determined to reduce", "focused on minimizing", or simply "aiming for less".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "bent on less"?

Use "bent on less" when you want to emphasize a strong intention to decrease or simplify something. However, ensure the context provides enough clarity to avoid ambiguity. Otherwise, a more explicit phrase may be preferable.