considerably less

USAGE SUMMARY

"considerably less" is a correct and usable phrase in written English and can be used in a variety of situations.
For example, "This year's profits were considerably less than last year's."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pennsylvania is considerably less elastic.

The New York Times

Almost all make considerably less.

The New York Times - Sports

But most earn considerably less.

The New York Times - Food

Snacking would be considerably less.

The New York Times

Winter rates are considerably less.

The New York Times - Travel

Smulian was considerably less composed.

The New Yorker

Entrees were considerably less pleasant.

The New York Times

Fleetwood are considerably less generous.

The Guardian - Sport

But some are considerably less comely.

The Economist

"The fit is considerably less comfortable today".

The New York Times - Health

(The Chinese is considerably less clunky).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "considerably less" to emphasize a noticeable difference in quantity, amount, or degree. It adds more weight than simply saying "less."

Common error

While "considerably less" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "much less" or "a lot less" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "considerably less" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically intensifying the adjective "less". Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage to indicate a notable reduction. It modifies the degree to which something is "less" than something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

8%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "considerably less" is a versatile adverb phrase used to emphasize a significant reduction or decrease. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted. While it appears most frequently in news and media, its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for professional writing and informative contexts. Remember to reserve it for situations where the difference is truly noteworthy, and consider simpler alternatives like "much less" in more casual settings. While the phrase is very common, make sure to distinguish if you should use "fewer" instead of "less".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly smaller

Indicates a notable reduction in size or quantity.

substantially lower

Highlights a considerable decline in value or amount.

markedly reduced

Emphasizes a distinct decrease or lessening.

measurably reduced

The value is now lower in a way that can be measured.

appreciably diminished

Suggests a noticeable lessening or weakening.

distinctly decreased

A clear drop from the previous value.

noticeably slighter

Implies a clearly perceptible reduction in weight or importance.

visibly lighter

Visually or clearly not as heavy.

much smaller

A more basic way of saying something is not so big.

far tinier

A more basic way of saying something is not so big.

FAQs

How can I use "considerably less" in a sentence?

Use "considerably less" to indicate a significant reduction or decrease, as in "The new model consumes "considerably less" fuel than its predecessor".

What are some alternatives to "considerably less"?

Alternatives include "far less", "much less", "significantly smaller", or "substantially lower", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "considerably fewer" or "considerably less"?

"Considerably fewer" is used with countable nouns (e.g., "considerably fewer people attended"), while "considerably less" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., "considerably less water was used").

What's the difference between "slightly less" and "considerably less"?

"Slightly less" indicates a minor difference, while "considerably less" implies a significant and noticeable difference.