but less highly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but less highly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare two things, indicating that one is valued or rated lower than the other. Example: "The new model is praised for its efficiency, but less highly than its predecessor."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

These meet the criteria to be placed in the inter-college pool, but scored less highly.

The Guardian

The legend is described in Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People, which celebrates the saintly virtues of Æthelthryth, but speaks less highly of Seaxburh, referring only to her marriage, succession as abbess and translation of her sister's relics.

Wikipedia

Obama's dithering on Afghanistan is understandable, but none the less highly risky.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rhythm, by any definition, is essential to poetry; prose may be said to exhibit rhythm but in a much less highly organized sense.

Britannica

Small differences are observed in the expression profiles, consistent with some samples having different proportions of genes expressed more or less highly, but overall, the distribution of expression intensities is very similar for all of the samples.

BMC Genomics

Posing naked or in dishabille has an obviously erotic intent, but Bellocq's pictures are less highly charged than, and never as explicit as, popular French postcards of the time.

The New York Times - Arts

But his reluctance to act more vigorously explains why he is rated less highly at home than abroad.

The Economist

In Eastern nations like China, where happiness as a goal is less highly rated, people report lower levels of life satisfaction, but they also have lower suicide rates.

The New York Times - Magazine

Trump thinks no less highly of himself.

The New Yorker

Even BellSouth is less highly leveraged than Verizon -- its ratio is 1.75.

The New York Times

Are particular qualifications less highly regarded than others, eg A-level, BTec, etc? No.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but less highly", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared and why one item is considered "less highly" than the other. For example, "The new engine is efficient, but less highly regarded for its torque."

Common error

Avoid using "but less highly" without a clear reference point. The phrase requires the reader to understand what is being compared and what criteria are being used to assess the "high" level. For example, don't say 'This is useful, but less highly' without clarifying what it's less highly than.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but less highly" functions as a conjunctional phrase, connecting two clauses while indicating a contrast and a difference in degree. It signals that while both aspects being compared possess a certain quality, one has it to a lesser degree than the other. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

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Reference

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but less highly" serves as a conjunctional phrase to introduce a contrast and a difference in degree. Although grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is currently missing in Ludwig's database, implying it's not frequently found in published text. As such, while the phrase is perfectly valid, users should be mindful of context and aim for clarity when incorporating it into their writing. Alternatives such as "to a lesser extent" or "not as highly" may be more suitable depending on the context and desired tone. Always ensure the comparison is clear to the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but not as highly

Uses a more direct negation of "highly".

but to a lesser extent

Replaces "highly" with "extent" for a more general comparison of degree.

but to a smaller degree

Emphasizes the difference in degree or level.

but less valued

Similar to "but valued less" but with a slightly different emphasis.

but valued less

Focuses on the concept of value rather than degree.

but less significant

Similar to "but not as significant" but more concise.

but less appreciated

Similar to "but not as appreciated" but with a more direct tone.

but not as significant

Replaces "highly" with "significant" to compare importance.

but not as appreciated

Focuses on the aspect of appreciation or recognition.

but of lower importance

Specifies "importance" as the aspect being compared.

FAQs

How can I use "but less highly" in a sentence?

The phrase "but less highly" is typically used to contrast two items or concepts, indicating that one is valued or esteemed to a lesser degree than the other. For example: "The software is functional, but "not as highly" optimized as the previous version."

What are some alternatives to using "but less highly"?

Alternatives include phrases like "to a lesser extent", "not as highly", or "valued less". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "but less highly" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "but less highly" can sometimes sound awkward in very formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "however it is less regarded" or "although it is not as esteemed" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "but less highly" and "but less"?

The phrase "but less" makes a more general comparison, while "but less highly" specifies that the comparison relates to a high degree of something, such as value, quality, or importance. The addition of "highly" focuses the comparison on an elevated standard. For example, consider using "but "less valued"".