existing less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "existing less than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition where something is present or available for a duration that is shorter than a specified amount of time or quantity. Example: "The project is currently existing less than the required budget, which raises concerns about its feasibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Subgroup 1 consisted of patients with complaints existing less than one year.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Little evidence was found about the application of manual therapy for acute neck pain (existing less than four weeks) [ 10].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Having left my job "voluntarily", I was existing on less than £10 a week.

The Guardian

Proponents of special health courts have estimated that the total cost of such a new liability system would be about the same as the existing system — less than 2percentt of America's total health care costs.

The New York Times

In the poorest forty per cent of countries, according to the bank's own figures, about half the population is still in "moderate poverty," which it defines as existing on less than four dollars a day of income.

The New Yorker

Three-quarters of people in extreme poverty – existing on less than $1.25 a day – live in rural areas, and crop yields across the region are often a fraction of those in developed countries.

The Guardian

More than 200 subatomic particles have been detected most of them highly unstable, existing for less than a millionth of a second as a result of collisions produced in cosmic-ray reactions or particle-accelerator experiments.

Encyclopedia Britannica

According to the Europe-wide study, income inequality actually fell in the first three years of the recession and the Red Cross implies a drop in relative poverty – that is the number of households existing on less than 60% of median income.

The Guardian

Compared to the existing method, less than half of the computational cost is required in the worst case.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

With the existing headset less than a year old and with a new Samsung smartphone (a new Note) on the horizon, which may embrace a new USB Type-C connector, the compatibility of the existing Gear VR with Samsung's entire line might be timing out.

TechCrunch

The autophagosome is a transient organelle existing for less than 10 min before fusing with the lysosome, resulting in the appearance of autophagolysosomes at various stages of degradation [ 131].

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "existing less than" to describe durations, ensure the units are clearly defined (e.g., "existing less than one year").

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly specifying what is being compared when using "existing less than". For instance, clarify if you are comparing quantities, timeframes, or other measurable aspects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "existing less than" functions as a comparative, typically used to establish a lower limit or to indicate a deficiency. As Ludwig AI reports, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. This phrase sets a boundary, implying that something does not reach a certain threshold.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "existing less than" is a grammatically sound comparative used to indicate that something is below a certain threshold, whether in quantity, duration, or degree. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for neutral to formal contexts such as scientific articles and news reports. While not exceptionally common, its use is consistent. Related phrases include "lasting shorter than" and "being fewer than", offering variations for nuanced expression. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the units of measurement and what is being compared.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lasting shorter than

Focuses specifically on the duration or lifespan of something.

being fewer than

Emphasizes a numerical comparison, indicating a smaller quantity.

available for under

Highlights the availability of something within a certain limit.

present for a shorter time than

Specifically denotes the duration for which something is present.

not exceeding

Implies a maximum limit that is not surpassed.

smaller in quantity than

Directly compares the amount of something.

comprising a smaller portion than

Indicates that something constitutes a smaller segment of a whole.

being of a lower amount than

Refers to the magnitude or volume of something.

having a deficiency compared to

Highlights a lack or shortfall in comparison to something else.

not as much as

Offers a basic comparison of quantity or extent.

FAQs

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

You can use "existing less than" to indicate a quantity, duration, or degree that is smaller or shorter than a specified value. For example, "The project's budget is existing less than the initial estimate."

What are some alternatives to "existing less than"?

Alternatives include phrases like "lasting shorter than", "being fewer than", or "available for under" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify the units of measurement when using "existing less than"?

While not always mandatory, specifying units (e.g., time, quantity, cost) provides clarity and prevents misinterpretation. It's best practice to include units unless the context makes them obvious.

How does the formality of "existing less than" compare to other similar phrases?

"Existing less than" is generally suitable for neutral to formal contexts. More informal alternatives might include "not as much as" or simpler comparative statements.