both less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both less" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as "both" implies two items, while "less" is comparative and does not fit with "both." Example: "The two options are both less appealing than the third choice."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were both less businessmen, more filmmakers.

The Guardian

The truth is both less and, potentially, more dramatic.

The New York Times

Actually, it was both less and more than that.

The New York Times - Arts

Woit's book is both less substantial and less accessible.

The New York Times - Books

The truth is both less dramatic and more interesting.

The Guardian

This felt to me both less tangible and more concrete.

The New York Times

Both are "trained in manipulation … both less than trustworthy".

Independent

What is happening appears to be both less dire and more complex.

The New York Times

They favored buildings that were both less prominent and less formal.

The New York Times

A dubious firstness aside, it seems both less and more than fully staged.

The New York Times - Arts

With Mr. Pardo the case is both less and more complicated.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing countable items, replace "less" with "fewer" after "both" to maintain grammatical accuracy. For instance, use "both fewer" instead of "both less" when referring to the number of cars or books.

Common error

Avoid using "less" with countable nouns. "Less" is typically used with uncountable nouns. Using "fewer" is the correct approach when referring to countable nouns. For example, instead of saying "both less cars", say "both fewer cars".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both less" typically functions as a modifier, aiming to express a reduction or deficiency affecting two entities. However, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect, particularly when used with countable nouns. Examples in Ludwig show varied contexts, despite this grammatical concern.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "both less" appears frequently across diverse sources such as news outlets, scientific publications, and business articles, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The primary issue lies in the misuse of "less" with countable nouns, where "fewer" is the appropriate term. To ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy, it's advisable to replace "both less" with alternatives like "both fewer" for countable nouns or "both smaller" and "both reduced" for uncountable ones. Though commonly encountered, particularly in media and scientific contexts, adopting these alternatives will improve the precision and correctness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both fewer

Replaces "less" with "fewer", which is grammatically correct when referring to countable items.

both smaller

Substitutes "less" with "smaller", indicating a reduction in size or amount.

both diminished

Replaces "less" with "diminished", suggesting a reduction in importance or impact.

both reduced

Substitutes "less" with "reduced", indicating a decrease in quantity or intensity.

both alleviate

Replaces the entire phrase with a verb indicating relief or lessening of something negative.

both lessen

Replaces "less" indicating diminishing in size, intensity, or degree.

both modest

Substitutes "less" with "modest" indicating a moderate or limited degree.

both less well

Replaces "less" with "less well", to describe a inferior action.

both less developed

Replaces "less" with "less developed", to describe a state of underdevelopment.

both secondary

Replaces the whole phrase with another adjective indicating a lower importance.

FAQs

When should I use "both fewer" instead of "both less"?

Use "both fewer" when referring to countable nouns. "Fewer" is grammatically correct when you can count the items, such as "cars", "books", or "people". For example: "There are "both fewer" apples and oranges in the basket this week".

Is it always wrong to use "both less"?

According to Ludwig AI, "both less" is grammatically incorrect. While you might encounter it, especially in informal contexts or certain idiomatic expressions, it's advisable to use alternatives like "both fewer" or "both smaller" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness.

What are some alternatives to "both less" for uncountable nouns?

For uncountable nouns, consider using phrases like "both reduced", "both diminished" or "both smaller" depending on the context. For example, if you are referring to effort you can say ""both diminished" efforts were put into the project".

How can I ensure I'm using "both less" or its alternatives correctly?

Pay attention to the noun you are modifying. If it's countable, use "fewer". If it's uncountable, consider "less", "smaller", or "reduced", depending on the meaning you want to convey. Reviewing your sentence and ensuring the noun and modifier align grammatically will help.