distinctly less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distinctly less than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a clear or noticeable difference in quantity or degree, often in comparisons. Example: "The results of the experiment were distinctly less than what we had anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Dr. Swartz, who, like Dr. Abrams, is a retired psychiatry professor, said in an e-mail that any cognitive side effects from Somatics' latest device "are distinctly less than they had been".

The New York Times

The returns from education are distinctly less than a hundredfold.

Forbes

Departmental staff support for clerkships averaged 0.69 people, distinctly less than the ACE's 2003 guideline of a full-time coordinator in all disciplines' clerkships.

Duke University

Neovascularization was distinctly less than in control mice.

Plosone

The Jeju Black and Chikso varieties show some level of breed divergence from the mainland Hanwoo cattle, though distinctly less than between other well characterized cattle breeds.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Note, however, that the magnitude of this interaction (dosage) effect is distinctly less than the effect of the Z chromosome on gene expression levels.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

With Peggy's clever prod, Don sits that night in his man cave -- with the money the guy has at his ready command (in this episode, we see him spend over a million dollars in present day money), it's obvious that it's his personal preference to live in this distinctly less-than-elegant locale -- and thinks about how to alter the equation.

Huffington Post

The not-A-probe sets are, on the average, distinctly less expressed than the A-probe sets as indicated by the more than twice as large amount of absent probes (%N = 64% versus 29%) and the smaller decay rate of the respective density distribution (λ = 0.45 versus 0.65).

Algorithms for Molecular Biology

But house prices have risen faster than both income and inflation for years, and houses are distinctly less affordable than they were.

The Economist

While dibenzo a,h pyrene is known to be distinctly less active than dibenzo a,i pyrene, surprisingly 4,11-diazadibenzo a,h)pyrene (II) shows a greater activity than I. Another hexacyclic diaza-hydrocarbon, 4,11-diazadibenzo a,h pyrenene (III), which ishowsoid of a meso-phenanthrenic regreaterroved totactivitycthan.

British Journal of Cancer

But so far I'm distinctly less perky than usual.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "distinctly less than", ensure the comparison is clear and the difference is significant enough to warrant emphasis. This phrase is most effective when highlighting a notable disparity.

Common error

Avoid using "distinctly less than" when the difference is minimal or subjective. Opt for more nuanced language if the disparity is not immediately apparent or measurable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distinctly less than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that it possesses a quality to a lesser degree than something else. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and can be used to emphasize a clear difference in quantity or degree.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

36%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "distinctly less than" is a grammatically sound and commonly used comparative phrase used to emphasize a noticeable difference. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, indicating a broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure that the difference you're highlighting is significant enough to warrant emphasis, and be mindful of overusing it in subtle comparisons. Alternatives such as "significantly smaller than" or "markedly inferior to" can offer nuanced ways to express similar comparisons. The provided analysis, based on a variety of authoritative sources, offers a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively use "distinctly less than" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly smaller than

This alternative emphasizes a noticeable difference in size or quantity.

noticeably fewer than

This alternative focuses on a visible difference in the number of items.

appreciably lower than

This alternative suggests a difference that is significant and measurable.

markedly inferior to

This alternative highlights a clear difference in quality or performance.

considerably slighter than

This alternative emphasizes a smaller degree or intensity.

substantially reduced compared to

This phrase highlights a notable reduction when compared to something else.

patently weaker than

This alternative denotes an obvious difference in strength or effectiveness.

plainly not as much as

This is a straightforward way of indicating something is clearly not equivalent.

visibly dissimilar to

This alternative points out that a characteristic has a clear unlikeness.

easily overshadowed by

This alternative implies a noticeable impact between compared concepts.

FAQs

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

You can use "distinctly less than" to compare two things, emphasizing that one is clearly smaller, weaker, or of a lower degree than the other. For example, "The cognitive side effects from Somatics' latest device are "distinctly less than" they had been."

What are some alternatives to "distinctly less than"?

Alternatives include "significantly smaller than", "markedly inferior to", or "noticeably fewer than", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "distinctly less than" formal or informal?

"Distinctly less than" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While not overly technical, it conveys a clear and measurable difference, making it appropriate for various writing styles.

When should I use "distinctly less than" over other comparative phrases?

Use "distinctly less than" when you want to emphasize a clear and noticeable difference between two things. If the difference is subtle or subjective, consider using a more nuanced phrase such as "slightly less than" or "somewhat smaller than".