feel less than

USAGE SUMMARY

"feel less than" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It is used to express feeling not as good as one should, or not having good enough qualities. Example sentence: "I always feel less than when I don't do as well as I expect on tests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

So, should Mr. Carey feel less than groovy?

The New York Times

It made me feel less than a man.

The New York Times

Has she ever been made to feel less than British?

Independent

Sometimes you get where you feel less than a man".

The New York Times

Travel itself can make you feel less than spritely.

The Guardian

This being so, I would feel less than truthful if I ticked "no religion".

The Economist

And as stylized as this "Menagerie" may be, its emotions never feel less than acutely real.

The New York Times

Though at this point I feel less than I know when I started".

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

I want people to have some useful information, and I don't want them to feel less-than.

The New York Times

I will not allow you to feel less-than -- not on my watch.

Huffington Post

What specific qualities and characteristics of other women were making me feel less-than?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel less than" to express a subjective feeling of inadequacy, inferiority, or reduced status. Ensure the context clearly indicates what the comparison is being made to, providing clarity to the emotion being conveyed.

Common error

Avoid using "feel less than" repeatedly in your writing, as it can make your writing sound monotonous. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "feel inferior to" or "feel inadequate" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel less than" functions as a linking verb followed by a comparative adjective phrase. It connects the subject to a state of being, indicating a subjective feeling of deficiency or inferiority. As Ludwig confirms, it is a valid expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feel less than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a subjective sense of inadequacy or inferiority. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is appropriate in various contexts, primarily in news, media, and informal communications. The phrase effectively conveys emotional state and can be replaced with several alternatives, such as "feel inferior to" or "feel inadequate", to prevent monotony in writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in what you're comparing to avoid ambiguity. Ludwig provides numerous real-world examples of this expression, showcasing its versatility and acceptance in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel inferior to

This alternative directly indicates a sense of lower status or worth compared to someone else.

feel inadequate

This expresses a feeling of not being good enough or capable enough for a certain situation or task.

feel unworthy

This suggests a feeling of not deserving good things or positive attention.

feel second-rate

This implies a feeling of being of lower quality or importance.

feel diminished

This suggests a reduction in one's sense of importance, power, or reputation.

feel overshadowed

This implies feeling less important or noticeable because of someone or something else.

feel belittled

This suggests feeling made to seem unimportant or insignificant.

feel marginalized

This implies feeling excluded or pushed to the edges of a group or society.

feel humbled

This expresses a feeling of modesty and awareness of one's limitations or insignificance.

feel compromised

This indicates a feeling of having one's values or principles undermined.

FAQs

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

You can use "feel less than" to express a sense of inadequacy or inferiority compared to others or a desired standard. For example, "After the presentation, I couldn't help but feel less than confident about my performance".

What does it mean to "feel less than" someone?

To "feel less than" someone means to perceive yourself as inferior or inadequate in comparison to that person. This could be due to differences in skills, achievements, social status, or other perceived qualities.

What are some alternative ways to express feeling inadequate besides "feel less than"?

Alternatives include "feel inferior", "feel inadequate", "feel unworthy", or "lack confidence". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "feel less than"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "feel less than". It's a common expression used to describe a feeling of being inferior or inadequate.