but less less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but less less" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It seems to be an attempt to compare two things with a reduction, but the repetition of "less" is unnecessary and confusing. Example: "I prefer this option, but less than the previous one."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

offering not more but less: less weight, less volume and less eyestrain.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Less, less, less.

The New Yorker

"Less less less," she told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

That still happens, but less and less.

The New York Times

But less investment buys less return.

The New York Times

A ball will bounce, but less and less.

The New Yorker

"The chancellor wants to 'do more with less', but less money means doing less.

The Guardian - Business

"They've always made movies with a positive message, but less and less over the years.

The New York Times

Imagination is still required — but less and less, Mr. Fishman asserts.

The New York Times

Under Chávez, Venezuela has more and more elections but less and less democracy.

The Guardian - Opinion

I think of luxury as not having more and more but less and less.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "but less less" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives like "but to a lesser extent" or "but not as much" to convey your intended meaning more effectively.

Common error

The repetition of "less" is generally unnecessary and grammatically incorrect. Using "but less" already implies a reduction; repeating it adds no value and diminishes clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but less less" functions as a conjunction phrase aiming to express contrast and reduction simultaneously. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the repetition of "less" is grammatically incorrect, undermining its intended function.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but less less" is grammatically incorrect and its intended meaning is not clearly conveyed. Ludwig AI identifies it as incorrect, suggesting that the repetition of "less" is unnecessary and confusing. While it appears in some sources, like Forbes and The New Yorker, its usage is infrequent and should be avoided in formal writing. Better alternatives include "but to a lesser extent" or "but not as much", which are more grammatically sound and convey the intended meaning more effectively. Therefore, it's best to avoid "but less less" and opt for clearer and more precise language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but to a lesser extent

Replaces the redundant "less less" with a more concise expression of reduction.

but not as much

Offers a simpler and more direct way to convey a smaller quantity or degree.

but comparatively less

Adds emphasis on the comparison, highlighting the reduced amount in relation to something else.

but somewhat reduced

Focuses on the reduction itself, suggesting a slight decrease.

but slightly fewer

Specifically refers to countable items, indicating a small reduction in number.

but a bit less

Uses informal language to express a small reduction, suitable for casual contexts.

but not quite so

Implies a deviation from a previous state or expectation, indicating a reduction.

but on a smaller scale

Indicates a reduction in size or scope compared to something else.

but a reduced quantity

Formally specifies that the amount has been diminished.

but a lower amount

Directly states that the quantity is smaller compared to something else.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "but less less"?

Instead of "but less less", consider using phrases like "but to a lesser extent" or "but not as much" for clearer communication.

Is "but less less" ever considered correct in English?

No, the phrase "but less less" is generally considered grammatically incorrect due to the unnecessary repetition of "less". It's better to use a single "less" or a different construction entirely.

How can I use "less" correctly in a sentence with "but"?

Use "less" once to indicate a reduction or smaller quantity. For example, "I want to spend money, but less than I did yesterday."

What's the difference between saying "less" and "less less"?

Saying "less" indicates a smaller amount or degree. Saying "less less" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't add any meaning. It's redundant and should be avoided.