further less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "further less than" is not correct or usable in written English.
We usually use the phrase "even less than" or "much less than". For example: She was expecting to get 5 hours of free time each week, but she ended up with even less than that.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Further, less than one fifth of chest x-rays were interpreted as possible pneumonia.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Further, less than 50% of all HFSP fellows returned to their home countries upon the conclusion of their fellowships, and 70% stayed in the United States.

Science Magazine

When the concentration of mixture was reduced further, less than pmol level (10−14 mol), the glucose ion peak could not be identified, almost covered by the peak of matrix (data not shown).

Biophysics Reports

Further, less than one percent of all violent crimes happen on school grounds.

Huffington Post

In fact, most of anti-tumor drugs including paclitaxel were difficult to cross BBB and the ratio of Cb/Cp was further less than 0.2 [28].

Plosone

It shows that the average costs in Taiwan are further less than the costs in USA.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Citigroup had to be rescued a second time, receiving a further $20 billion less than a month later.

The Economist

The NHS does not need any further reorganisation less than a year after the new system was established, but if by concentrating expertise brings patient benefits, it might in the longer term be necessary.

The Guardian

It was certainly bad for union membership, which fell from 13.2 million in 1979 to 9.8 million in 1990 – and has since fallen further, to less than 7.4 million.

The Guardian

Generally, a sample is first thinned to 20‒50 μm, and then further to less than 1 μm by ion milling [2, 21, 49].

Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering

Our suspicions got further support less than a week ago, when we saw reports that the newest releases of the iPhone OS was actually being held back because some of its code alluded to the unannounced tablet device.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "further less than" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "even less than" or "much less than" to maintain clarity and credibility.

Common error

Don't assume that combining "further" and "less than" is always correct. While each phrase can be valid on its own, together they create a grammatically unsound construction. Replace the entire phrase with a more conventional alternative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "further less than" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI analysis indicates the use of "even less than" or "much less than" is recommended.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "further less than" is not grammatically correct, although it may appear in some sources. Ludwig AI suggests opting for grammatically sound alternatives such as "even less than" or "much less than", especially in formal or academic writing. The phrase appears in a mix of sources, but mostly scientific and news outlets. Therefore, to maintain clarity and credibility, it's advisable to avoid using "further less than" and choose a more conventional expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even less than

Emphasizes a smaller quantity than previously indicated. This alternative directly replaces "further less" with a grammatically sound construction.

much less than

Indicates a significantly smaller quantity, degree, or extent. Substitutes "further less" with a common and correct expression.

still less than

Suggests a continued decrease from an already low amount. This is a grammatically correct alternative.

further reduced to less than

Highlights a reduction process leading to a smaller quantity, often in scientific or technical contexts. "Reduced to" adds a process-oriented viewpoint.

further decreased to less than

Indicates a decline to a lower value, which often is used with numbers. The 'decreased to' variant emphasizes the action of declining.

a further reduction to less than

Emphasizes the act of reduction. By adding 'a' it highlights the reduction.

even smaller than

Focuses on the comparative size. It can be used for emphasize the diminutiveness.

even lower than

Focuses on a comparative value, often numerical. It's very versatile and emphasize the diminutiveness.

no more than

States an upper limit, implying the actual value does not exceed that limit. Focus is on the maxim.

at most

Specifies a maximum quantity or degree, often used for estimations. Its short and focus on the idea of upper limit.

FAQs

Is "further less than" grammatically correct?

No, "further less than" is not grammatically correct. It's better to use phrases like "even less than" or "much less than".

What's a better way to say "further less than"?

Instead of "further less than", you can use options such as "still less than", "no more than", or "at most", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Can I use "further less than" in academic writing?

It is not advisable to use "further less than" in academic writing because it is grammatically incorrect. Opt for alternatives that are more precise and grammatically sound such as "even less than".

What are some contexts where I might see "further less than", even though it's incorrect?

While "further less than" appears in some sources, especially online news or informal contexts, it's generally considered a grammatical error. Because of this, it’s better to prefer alternatives such as "much less than".