far less

USAGE SUMMARY

"far less" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to compare two items to emphasize how much less one item is than the other. For example, "His new car uses far less fuel than his old one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some need far less.

The Economist

Others felt far less rosy.

The New York Times - Sports

It is far less influential.

The Economist

Tsunamis are far less frequent.

The New York Times

Investors were far less happy.

The Economist

Pundits were far less diplomatic.

The New York Times

Hannah is far less ambitious.

The New York Times - Arts

I earn far less.

The Guardian - Opinion

Far less so.

The Guardian - Sport

Sorkin protests far less.

The New York Times - Magazine

And far less practical.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two options, "far less" helps highlight the superior advantage of one over the other. For example, "Investing in renewable energy is far less damaging to the environment."

Common error

Avoid using "far less" when a simple "less" suffices. For example, instead of saying "This costs far less", consider "This costs less" if the difference isn't particularly significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far less" functions as an intensifier modifying a comparative adjective or adverb. It indicates a significantly smaller quantity, degree, or extent. Ludwig's examples confirm its role in emphasizing disparities between compared items.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "far less" is a versatile comparative phrase used to emphasize a significant difference in quantity, degree, or extent. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Its function is to intensify the comparison, highlighting that one thing is substantially smaller, weaker, or fewer than another. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse when a simple "less" would suffice. Ludwig's examples show its presence in news, academic, and even informal contexts, showcasing its broad applicability. Some alternatives include "significantly smaller", "considerably reduced", and "substantially lower", but using "far less" can provide a stronger emphasis when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly smaller

Emphasizes a notable difference in size or amount.

substantially lower

Focuses on a significant reduction in value or level.

markedly decreased

Highlights a clear and evident reduction.

considerably reduced

Highlights a marked decrease in quantity or intensity.

appreciably diminished

Indicates a noticeable decline or reduction.

distinctly smaller

Suggests a clear difference in size or amount.

noticeably fewer

Emphasizes that the reduced amount is easily observed.

materially lighter

Focuses on a significant decrease in weight or burden.

substantially abated

Used when referring to feelings or sensations that have diminished substantially.

measurably curtailed

Used to described some activities that have been cut back significantly.

FAQs

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

Use "far less" to emphasize a considerable difference between two things. For example, "The new engine consumes "far less" fuel than the old one".

What is a good alternative to "far less"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "significantly smaller", "considerably reduced", or "substantially lower" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always necessary to use "far less" instead of just "less"?

No, use "far less" when you want to emphasize a significant difference. If the difference is minimal, "less" is sufficient.

Which is correct, "far less" or "much less"?

Both "far less" and "much less" are correct, but "far less" is often used to highlight a more considerable difference than "much less".