drastically less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drastically less" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant reduction in quantity, quality, or degree compared to something else. Example: "The new policy has resulted in drastically less waste being produced by the factory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

He complained that it "converts Medicaid into a block grant with drastically less spending".

The New York Times - Health

In online parlance, "nerf," after the soft, squishy real-life toys, means to make something drastically less effective.

The New York Times - Tech

In the company of fellow-members of a lucky class, I stroll amid likenesses of drastically less privileged citizens.

The New Yorker

This is not devolution of power, but a passing of responsibility to meet (growing) demand with drastically less money.

The Guardian - Opinion

Places like Detroit are cheap, Glaeser told me, because they have become drastically less attractive locations to live and work.

The New York Times - Magazine

The new sources of financing enabled the company to diversify, buying properties outside the newspaper business and thereby making itself drastically less vulnerable to strikes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Immediately east of the Cascades the annual precipitation decreases drastically to less than 8 inches (200 mm) at Yakima, Washington.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Thus, vent fluid salinities can vary drastically, from less than 6% up to 200% of normal seawater [11].

Geochemical Transactions

His teammate Graham Onions varies similarly, if less drastically, in menace according to the conditions.

The New York Times - Sports

The rate also dropped for men, but less drastically — falling 4.7 percentage points this year to 25.4 percent.

The New York Times

Mac sales, too, were off, though less drastically: the company sold 4% fewer, for a total of 5.3m.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two scenarios, "drastically less" can effectively highlight a significant difference, especially in data-driven contexts like reports or analyses.

Common error

Avoid using "drastically less" in casual conversation or informal writing where a simpler term like "much less" or "significantly less" would be more appropriate. The phrase carries a formal tone that might feel out of place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drastically less" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "less". It indicates that something is reduced to a considerably lower degree or amount. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

28%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "drastically less" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to emphasize a considerable reduction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys a significant decrease across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Scientific domains. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal writing and should be used judiciously in casual conversation. Related phrases like "substantially reduced" or "significantly diminished" can provide stylistic alternatives. Use it to highlight meaningful reductions, especially when data-driven insights need to be emphasized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantially reduced

Replaces "drastically" with "substantially", altering the intensity while maintaining the core meaning of reduction.

significantly diminished

Employs "significantly diminished" to convey a notable decrease, differing slightly in tone and emphasis.

considerably smaller

Uses "considerably smaller" to focus on size reduction, providing a more concrete image than the original phrase.

markedly lower

Substitutes "drastically" with "markedly", suggesting a clear and noticeable decline.

noticeably decreased

Replaces "drastically" with "noticeably", emphasizing the ease with which the reduction can be observed.

appreciably less

Uses "appreciably less" to indicate a reduction that is significant enough to be easily perceived or measured.

much reduced

This option shortens the phrase, using "much reduced" to simplify the expression while retaining the meaning.

far smaller

Focuses on the comparative size difference, using "far smaller" to highlight the extent of the reduction in size.

considerably abated

This option offers a slightly different nuance, using "considerably abated" to suggest a reduction in intensity or prevalence.

substantially curtailed

Employs "substantially curtailed" to convey a significant limitation or reduction, altering the focus from simple decrease to restriction.

FAQs

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

Use "drastically less" to indicate a significant reduction. For example, "The new policy resulted in "drastically less waste" being produced."

What are some alternatives to "drastically less"?

You can use alternatives like "substantially reduced", "significantly diminished", or "considerably smaller" depending on the context.

Is "drastically less" formal or informal?

"Drastically less" leans toward a more formal register. In informal settings, simpler alternatives like "much less" or "way less" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "drastically less" and "significantly less"?

"Drastically less" implies a more substantial and noticeable reduction than "significantly less". The former emphasizes the magnitude of the decrease more strongly.