easier than

USAGE SUMMARY

"easier than" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to compare two things or two actions and indicate which one is easier to do. For example, "Studying for a math test is easier than studying for a physics test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Easier Than eBay.

Forbes

But easier than writing.

The New York Times

Easier than gravy.

The New York Times - Food

Again easier than it appeared.

The New York Times

"Owl pins easier than Squirrel".

The New York Times - Sports

Just easier than this one.

The New York Times - Travel

Because that's easier than raking?

Independent

Questions are easier than answers.

The Economist

"Easier than men".

The New Yorker

"Easier than the second season," he says.

Independent

It's easier than running a company.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "easier than", ensure you are comparing two specific actions or items for clarity. For example, "Learning to ride a bike is easier than learning to drive a car."

Common error

Avoid using "easier than" without a clear point of comparison. Saying "This is easier than expected" is acceptable if the context already provides the comparison; otherwise, specify what it is easier than.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "easier than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate that one thing or action is less difficult or requires less effort than another. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

19%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "easier than" is a grammatically correct and very common comparative phrase used to indicate that something is less difficult than something else. Ludwig confirms its validity for use in written English. It's most frequently found in News & Media sources, followed by Wiki and Formal & Business contexts. When using "easier than", ensure the comparison is clear to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "less challenging than" or "more straightforward than", depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less challenging than

Focuses on the level of challenge involved.

more straightforward than

Highlights the directness and simplicity of the process.

simpler compared to

Uses a different comparative structure.

not as difficult as

Uses a negative construction to express relative ease.

more manageable than

Emphasizes the ease of handling or controlling something.

less complicated than

Focuses on the lack of complexity.

a breeze compared to

Uses an idiom to suggest extreme ease.

more facile than

A more formal way of saying easier.

lighter work than

Implies a less demanding task.

a piece of cake compared to

Another idiom expressing simplicity.

FAQs

How do I use "easier than" in a sentence?

Use "easier than" to compare the relative difficulty of two tasks or concepts. For example, "Taking the bus is "easier than driving" in the city center."

What's a more formal way to say "easier than"?

While "easier than" is suitable for most contexts, you could use "less challenging than" or "less complicated than" in formal writing.

Is it ever incorrect to use "easier than"?

It's grammatically correct, but avoid using it when the comparison isn't clear. For instance, instead of "This method is easier", specify "This method is "easier than the previous one"".

What are some alternatives to "easier than"?

Depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, you can use alternatives such as "simpler than", "more straightforward than", or "less complex than".