but that less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but that less" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It seems to be an incomplete thought or a misphrasing, and it is not usable in standard English contexts. Example: "I understand your point, but that less important than the main issue."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Satellite measurements show that the sun remains as bright as ever, but that less and less sunlight has been making it through the atmosphere to the ground.

The New York Times

We found that hungry subjects came closest to our prediction of treating leaving and staying in the same way, but that less motivated subjects showed a pronounced and surprising bias in favour of leaving.

Animal Behaviour

In 2005, Venkatesh and Isil Celimli wrote that seventy-five per cent of C.H.A. residents surveyed stated a preference for returning to their old neighborhoods, but that less than twenty per cent would be able to do so.

The New Yorker

MASS transportation has introduced radically new spaces to the world -- not just the coach or cabin of the vehicle, but that less definable place in between, the space of the rapidly passing view, of suspension and uncertainty.

The New York Times

Department of Energy officials at the hearing quibbled with the specifics of the findings, saying that more than half were weapons scientists but that less than 60percentt fell in that category.

The New York Times

A 2008 Pew forum on religion and public life study determined that nearly a third of Americans were brought up Catholic, but that "less than one in four remained so" – meaning the faith had shed "the greatest" proportion of US-born believers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

But second, that "less resistant straight path" isn't exactly what they think it is.

Huffington Post

But we see that less often in the broader corporate arena.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

(The establishment of the colony has also been attributed to Nebuchadrezzar, but that seems less likely).

Encyclopedia Britannica

But that seemed less a bold stroke than a recognition of reality.

The New York Times

Ausra's collectors produce less power, but that power costs less to produce.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but", ensure the contrasting element is clearly and grammatically connected. Rephrasing to "however, that is less..." can improve clarity and correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "but that less" without a clear comparative element. Ensure the sentence specifies what is 'less' than what.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "but that less" is to introduce a contrasting element, indicating a reduction or decrease in something compared to a prior statement. Ludwig AI identifies this phrase as not correct and suggests alternatives to ensure clarity. While prevalent, careful consideration in use of the phrase is advised to ensure clarity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

21%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but that less" is used to introduce a contrasting element, indicating a reduction or decrease. Despite its common usage, Ludwig AI marks it as incorrect and better alternatives exists that ensures grammatical accuracy and clarity, especially in formal writing. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts. While not always grammatically precise, the intent is generally understood, though rephrasing is often advisable. Using alternatives is important.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, that's less

Replaces "but" with "however" for a more formal tone, maintaining the contrast.

yet that's less

Substitutes "but" with "yet", offering a slightly more nuanced contrast.

although that is less

Uses "although" to introduce a dependent clause expressing contrast.

though that is less

Similar to "although", but with a more informal connotation.

nonetheless, that's less

Employs "nonetheless" for a stronger sense of contrast or concession.

even so, that's less

Expresses a contrast despite a preceding statement or situation.

still, that's less

Offers a simple and direct way to introduce a contrasting point.

in contrast, that's less

Explicitly indicates a contrasting element.

on the other hand, that's less

Introduces a contrasting perspective or consideration.

conversely, that's less

Indicates an opposite or contrasting situation.

FAQs

What does "but that less" mean?

The phrase "but that less" is often used to introduce a contrasting idea where something is smaller in quantity, significance, or degree compared to something else. It's often more grammatically correct to say "however, that is less" or "but that is less significant".

How can I rephrase a sentence using "but that less" for clarity?

Instead of "but that less", consider using phrases like "however, that is less", "but that is not as", or "although that is less", depending on the context.

Is "but that less" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "but that less" is not considered grammatically correct in formal writing. It's better to use alternatives that provide a clearer connection between the contrasting ideas, such as "but that is less" or "however, that seems less".

What's the difference between "but that less" and "but that is less"?

"But that less" is an incomplete phrasing. The phrase "But that is less" provides a complete thought, and makes clear the comparative meaning to be conveyed.