even less

USAGE SUMMARY

"even less" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is even less than it already is. For example: "The amount of rainfall has been decreasing in recent years, and this year even less is expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even less.

The New Yorker

He was even less swayed.

The Economist

Mr. Nighy does even less.

The New York Times

Capping deductions recoups even less.

The New York Times

Others are even less patient.

The Economist

Her husband makes even less.

The Economist

Local NGOs received even less.

The Economist

Hyundai is even less vulnerable.

The New York Times

Europe stumps up even less.

The Economist

Maybe even less.

Yale University

Probably even less.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even less" to emphasize a progressive reduction or decline from an already low baseline. For example, "Initially, funding was scarce, but now there is "even less" available".

Common error

Avoid using "even less" in sentences where a simple "less" would suffice. For example, instead of "He has "even less" money than before", consider "He has less money than before" if the emphasis isn't necessary.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "even less" is as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. Ludwig AI, provides examples where it indicates a smaller degree or quantity than previously mentioned.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "even less" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that serves to underscore a further reduction from an already small quantity or degree. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and highlights its prevalence across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and business. The phrase carries a neutral tone, suitable for both formal and informal communication. Related phrases like "still less" and "much less" offer similar ways to emphasize a smaller amount, but "even less" carries the additional weight of indicating a continued decline. When writing, use "even less" judiciously to emphasize a progressive reduction, and avoid overuse in contexts where a simple "less" suffices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

still less

Emphasizes a further reduction from an already low amount.

much less

Indicates a significantly smaller quantity or degree.

even smaller

Focuses on the reduced size or quantity.

to a lesser extent

Formal way to indicate a reduced degree.

even a smaller amount

Highlights the reduced quantity using a more descriptive phrase.

considerably less

Highlights the magnitude of the reduction.

markedly less

Suggests the degree of reduction is remarkable.

appreciably less

The reduction is easily seen or felt.

materially less

Highlights that the degree of reduction is relevant.

to a reduced degree

A more formal construction expressing lessened intensity or amount.

FAQs

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

Use "even less" to emphasize a further reduction from an already small amount. For example, "There was little hope to begin with, and now there is "even less"".

What phrases are similar to "even less"?

Alternatives to "even less" include "still less", "much less", or "even smaller" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "even lesser" instead of "even less"?

While "lesser" implies a smaller degree, "even less" emphasizes a reduction from an already small quantity. "Even lesser" is grammatically awkward and not commonly used. If you are considering "even lesser", just stick to even less.

What is the difference between "less" and "even less"?

"Less" indicates a smaller quantity, while "even less" stresses that the quantity is smaller than it already was or expected to be. It is best to select "even less".