far less well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far less well" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the degree of something being done poorly in relation to another subject or action. Example: "She performed far less well on the exam compared to her classmates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Those reforms would work far less well without an individual mandate.

The New York Times

This was true of the resident-matching programme, Mr Roth said.Other systems worked far less well.

The Economist

Mr. Kellner is far less well known within the industry than Mr. Bethune, his swashbuckling boss.

The New York Times

In an information society, this model of education works far less well than it once did.

The New York Times

The prospective delegates for the other presidential contenders are far less well known.

The New York Times

They worked far less well than was trumpeted when they were introduced.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Kahlo, 20 years his junior, was far less well-known.

The Guardian - Arts

Compared with its agricultural resources, the country is far less well-endowed with energy resources.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They are far less well-known than the oil firms that hire them, but immensely lucrative.

The Economist

The transition between adolescence and adulthood these days is far less well-defined.

The Guardian - Opinion

They help to make up for the domestic outflow (the big difference is that they are far less well-educated).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "far less well", ensure that the context clearly establishes the basis for comparison. Without a clear point of reference, the phrase may lack impact or be ambiguous.

Common error

Avoid using "far less well" in isolation without a clear comparison point. For instance, saying "The project went far less well" lacks context. Instead, specify what it is being compared to: "The project went "far less well" than initially planned."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far less well" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It serves to indicate that an action is performed, or a state exists, to a significantly lesser degree or with less success than something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used correctly and commonly in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "far less well" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express a notable difference in quality or performance between two things. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently employed in written English. As our analysis has shown, it functions to emphasize disparities and make clear comparisons, lending itself to a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts ranging from news reports to scientific analyses. Its frequent appearance in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance. When using "far less well", ensure you clearly establish what is being compared to avoid ambiguity and maximize the impact of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much worse

A simpler and more direct way of expressing a decline.

considerably worse

Emphasizes a significant decline in quality or performance.

considerably worse

Emphasizes a significant decline in quality or performance.

significantly poorer

Highlights a notable deficiency in quality or condition.

markedly inferior

Focuses on a clear and distinct difference in quality, placing it at a lower rank.

noticeably deficient

Stresses that the inadequacy is easily observed.

substantially unskillful

Indicates a considerable lack of skill or expertise.

decidedly worse

Indicates a clear and unambiguous decline in performance.

appreciably deficient

Focuses on a noticeable lack of some important quality.

patently inadequate

Highlights that the insufficiency is obvious and undeniable.

FAQs

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

Use "far less well" to compare two things, indicating one is significantly worse or less successful than the other. For example, "The sequel was "far less well" received than the original movie."

What are some alternatives to "far less well"?

You can use alternatives like "much worse", "significantly poorer", or "markedly inferior" depending on the specific context.

Is "far less well" formal or informal?

"Far less well" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally suitable for situations where you need to express a clear and somewhat emphatic difference in quality or performance.

What's the difference between "far less well" and "less well"?

"Far less well" indicates a more significant difference in performance or quality compared to just "less well". The addition of "far" emphasizes the magnitude of the disparity.