definitely less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "definitely less" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a comparison indicating that something is certainly of a lower quantity, degree, or quality. Example: "The new model is definitely less expensive than the previous version."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are definitely less standardized.

The New York Times - Food

I am definitely less worried.

The New York Times

It was definitely less than £15.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It's definitely less carefree," he said.

The New York Times - Style

There was definitely less reticence lower down the price scale.

The New York Times - Arts

We're definitely less than 10% down I would say.

The Guardian - Tech

"I feel definitely less lonely down in the archives".

The New Yorker

(TALEX101) "Newt Gingrich is definitely less evil than Hitler".

The New Yorker

That's hard and definitely less headline-friendly work.

The Washington Post

In Drosophila, the contribution of methylation during DR in aging is definitely less explored.

Experimental Gerontology

"There is definitely less pressure now that I am not ranked No. 1," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "definitely less" when you want to clearly emphasize that something is reduced in quantity, degree, or quality compared to something else. It adds a level of certainty to the comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "definitely less" when there's no explicit or implicit comparison. For instance, instead of saying "This is definitely less", clarify "This is "definitely less" than what we expected" or "This is "definitely less" than before".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definitely less" functions as an adverbial modifier emphasizing a comparative adjective. It intensifies the degree to which something is reduced or diminished. Ludwig AI shows this phrase to be grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "definitely less" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize a reduction or decrease in something. As shown by Ludwig, its function is to emphatically compare and highlight a diminishment. It is most commonly found in News & Media sources, indicating its general applicability. While alternatives like "certainly less" exist, "definitely less" provides a strong and clear way to convey a noticeable reduction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide range of applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certainly less

Replaces "definitely" with "certainly", offering a slightly less emphatic alternative.

assuredly less

Uses "assuredly" instead of "definitely", suggesting confidence in the reduced state.

undoubtedly less

Substitutes "definitely" with "undoubtedly", emphasizing the lack of doubt about the reduced amount.

noticeably less

Focuses on the perceptibility of the reduction, replacing "definitely" with "noticeably".

plainly less

Emphasizes the obviousness of the reduced amount, using "plainly" instead of "definitely".

appreciably less

Highlights that the reduction is significant or considerable, substituting "definitely" with "appreciably".

markedly less

Indicates a clear and distinct reduction, replacing "definitely" with "markedly".

distinctly less

Implies a clear difference in the reduced amount, using "distinctly" instead of "definitely".

patently less

Suggests that the reduction is obvious and undeniable, substituting "definitely" with "patently".

unmistakably less

Emphasizes that there is no mistaking the reduction, replacing "definitely" with "unmistakably".

FAQs

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

You can use "definitely less" to emphasize a reduction in quantity, quality, or degree. For example, "There is "definitely less" traffic on Sundays" or "This version is "definitely less" expensive than the previous one".

What are some alternatives to "definitely less"?

Alternatives include "certainly less", "assuredly less", or "undoubtedly less". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to use "definitely less" or "certainly less"?

"Certainty less" is marginally more formal than "definitely less", but both are generally acceptable in most contexts. Choose the one that best fits the tone of your writing.

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

"Definitely less" indicates a clear and substantial reduction, while "slightly less" suggests a minor or barely noticeable decrease. The choice depends on the magnitude of the difference you want to express.