constitutes less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "constitutes less than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing quantities or proportions that are below a certain threshold. Example: "The new policy constitutes less than 10% of the total budget allocated for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

But they also know that this matter constitutes less than 5% of the substance of creation.

The Economist

Still, coal now constitutes less than 40 percent of United States electrical generation, down from 50 percent a decade ago, and East Coast producers are struggling.

The New York Times

Public housing, which constitutes less than 10 percent of all occupied dwellings, assists those with low incomes, and there are special programs for the homeless for crisis accommodation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Agricultural land constitutes less than one-sixth of the country's territory, and less than one-tenth of the total land area is arable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The process of manufacturing a nuclear bomb, especially the need to purify the uranium isotope 235 (which constitutes less than 1% of unrefined uranium) was much more complicated and difficult than was realised.

The Guardian - Books

This low-lying bed of silt in Chad, across which powerful jets of wind are wont to blow, constitutes less than 1% of the Sahara's area but is reckoned the world's dustiest place.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Arabs constitute less than 20percentt of the worldwide Muslim population.

The New York Times

And they constitute less than 1% of the electorate.

The Economist

Together they constitute less than one-tenth of the population.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Independents preferred him, but they constituted less than 20percentt of the total participants.

The New York Times

African-Americans constituted less than three per cent of the electorate in his district.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "constitutes less than", ensure that the units being compared are clearly defined and consistent. For example, avoid comparing percentages to absolute numbers without clarification.

Common error

Avoid using "constitutes less than" when comparing items that are not directly comparable. Ensure there is a logical basis for the comparison, such as parts of a whole or shares of a total.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "constitutes less than" functions as a quantifying expression. It serves to indicate that a particular element or quantity forms a smaller portion than a specified threshold. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "constitutes less than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote that a specific element represents a minor portion of a larger whole. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is versatile, appearing across diverse contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedias, and serves the purpose of providing context by highlighting relative sizes. When using this phrase, ensure the comparison is logical and units are consistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

represents under

Emphasizes the role of representing a smaller portion.

accounts for under

Focuses on the aspect of accounting for a specific portion.

is below

A more direct and simple way of expressing a quantity being lower than a certain value.

is fewer than

Specifically used when referring to countable items.

does not exceed

Highlights that the quantity does not surpass a given limit.

is a fraction of

Indicates that the quantity is a small part of the whole.

forms a minority of

Focuses on the concept of being a smaller group within a larger one.

is a small percentage of

Directly indicates a small portion in terms of percentage.

falls short of

Suggests that the quantity is not enough to reach a certain target.

is a limited portion of

Highlights the limited nature of the quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "constitutes less than" in a sentence?

Use "constitutes less than" to indicate that a certain portion or amount is smaller than a specified value. For example, "Renewable energy "represents under" 15% of the country's total energy consumption".

What are some alternatives to "constitutes less than"?

You can use alternatives like ""represents under"", "accounts for under", or "is below" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "constitutes less than" or "is less than"?

"Is less than" is a more general comparison. "Constitutes less than" is used when referring to a specific part or component of a whole. The correctness depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "constitutes less than" and "comprises less than"?

While both phrases indicate a smaller portion, "comprises less than" often refers to the components of a whole, whereas "constitutes less than" can refer to any proportional relationship. They are often interchangeable, but "comprises" emphasizes composition.