even less so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even less so" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is significantly less than what was previously mentioned. For example, "His salary is low, and his benefits are even less so."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Inside, it's even less so.

The Washington Post

Colin wasn't keen and I was even less so".

The Guardian - Travel

Even less so when the quality of food is paramount.

Independent

Even less so in an age of reduced attention span.

The New York Times - Travel

The surge in media interest even less so.

The Guardian

The telecoms billionaire behind it is even less so.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Amazon is less integrated still, and eBay even less so.

The New York Times

Both perspectives have not been studied in detail, even less so their entanglements.

Harvard University

Even less so were the muddied struggles of the first world war.

The Economist

Crime, never a major problem, has become even less so in the last decade.

The New York Times

The year before that, they took even less, so we have been hitting them pretty hard.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "even less so", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "even less so" when there is no clear reference point for comparison. Ensure the reader understands what the 'so' refers to.

Linguistic Context

"Even less so" functions as an adverbial phrase used for intensifying a comparison. It emphasizes that something is to a smaller degree or extent than something previously mentioned. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical use and wide applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

16%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "even less so" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize a diminished degree or intensity compared to a prior statement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as an adverbial phrase, adding force to comparisons across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. When using "even less so", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared to avoid ambiguity. Common alternatives include "still less", "much less", and "far less", each offering a nuanced way to convey reduction or insignificance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

still less

Emphasizes a smaller degree compared to something else, but without the "even" for added emphasis.

even to a lesser extent

More formal and verbose, adding explicitness to the degree of reduction.

even to a smaller degree

Similar to "even to a lesser extent" but focusing on the degree of reduction.

still to a lesser degree

Similar to "still less" but emphasizing degree.

much less

Focuses on the significantly reduced likelihood or possibility.

far less

Indicates a substantial reduction or difference.

to an even smaller extent

Highlights that the extent is smaller than previously mentioned.

to an even lesser degree

Emphasizes a smaller degree compared to something else.

in a still smaller way

Focuses on the manner or method being smaller.

even fainter

Uses an adjective (fainter) to convey reduction in strength or clarity.

FAQs

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

Use "even less so" to emphasize a decrease or reduction compared to a previous statement. For example, "He wasn't happy with the service, and he was "even less so" with the price".

What phrases can I use instead of "even less so"?

Alternatives include "still less", "much less", or "far less", depending on the context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "even less so"?

It's not grammatically incorrect, but it can be misused if the context doesn't clearly establish the comparison being made. Ensure the reference is clear to avoid confusion.

What is the difference between "even less so" and "not even"?

"Even less so" implies a comparison where something is reduced relative to a previous point. "Not even" simply negates a possibility or expectation, without necessarily implying a comparison.