had gone less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had gone less" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a comparison or a decrease in something, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "He had gone less frequently to the gym since the new year began."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Eventually, it had seemed to him that all their conversations tended toward Vietnam, so he had gone less and less often.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Things have gone less smoothly for Mr. Palombo.

The New York Times

But on the policy front, things have gone less well.

The Guardian - Business

The Cosby nod was from Allen's own son, Ronan Farrow, and has gone less checked.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even despite Iraq, Mr Blair has gone less because he has failed than because he and the public have had enough of each other.

The Economist

Despite the insistence of President Bush and members of his cabinet that all is well, the war in Afghanistan has gone less smoothly than many had hoped.

The New York Times

The best-picture award has gone less often to the stuffy, overproduced behemoths and outright duds that used to win with regularity.

The New York Times

That project may have gone less than smoothly - the RSC's attendance figures and mounting deficit are no laughing matter - but Noble's instinct is a measure of Yentob's reputation.

The Guardian - Arts

Had the interview taken place just a few days earlier, things might have gone less well, Austin thinks.

Science Magazine

–They've gone less than four months without a new 52-week high, so momentum traders still have them on their watch lists.

Forbes

Other things have gone less well for O'Reilly since the Times bombshell.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to describe a reduction in frequency, prefer clear and grammatically correct alternatives such as "occurred less often" or "decreased in frequency" instead of using the ambiguous phrase "had gone less".

Common error

Do not use "had gone less" when you intend to express a decrease in frequency or intensity. This phrasing is not standard English and can lead to confusion. Always opt for more precise language to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had gone less" functions as a verb phrase attempting to describe a decrease in frequency or intensity. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity. The primary function it aims for is to show a reduction in something over time.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

22%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had gone less" is grammatically incorrect and not recommended for use in formal or professional writing. Ludwig AI confirms that it is non-standard English and lacks clarity. While some examples exist, it is better to use more precise and grammatically sound alternatives such as "decreased in frequency" or "occurred less often". Although the sources where this phrase is found are generally authoritative, the phrase's incorrect usage impacts its overall effectiveness and appropriateness. It is advisable to avoid this phrase to ensure clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Decreased in frequency

Replaces "had gone less" with a more direct and grammatically sound phrase emphasizing the reduction in frequency.

Occurred less often

Uses "occurred" instead of "gone" to clarify the action and "less often" to indicate reduced frequency.

Became less frequent

Employs "became" to show a change over time and "less frequent" to specify the reduction in occurrence.

Was seen less frequently

Focuses on visibility or observation, suggesting that something was noticed less often.

Diminished in intensity

Shifts the focus from frequency to the strength or intensity of an action or event.

Happened with less regularity

Replaces "gone" with "happened" and uses "less regularity" to convey the idea of reduced consistency.

Reduced in occurrence

Uses "reduced" to directly indicate a decrease in the number of times something occurs.

Tapered off

Suggests a gradual decrease in frequency or intensity, implying a slow decline.

Waned in popularity

Indicates a decrease in popularity or favor, suggesting that something became less common or desirable.

Eased off

Implies a lessening of pressure, effort, or intensity over time.

FAQs

How can I correctly use a phrase to indicate a decrease in frequency?

Instead of using the unclear phrase "had gone less", try using phrases like "occurred less often", "became less frequent", or "decreased in frequency" to clearly convey that something is happening less often.

What are some alternatives to "had gone less" that are grammatically sound?

Grammatically correct alternatives include "was seen less frequently", "happened with less regularity", and "diminished in intensity". These options provide clarity and precision in expressing a reduction.

Is "had gone less" considered proper English?

No, "had gone less" is not considered proper English. It's better to use clearer and more grammatically correct phrases such as "reduced in occurrence" or "tapered off" to avoid ambiguity.

How does "waned in popularity" differ in meaning from "had gone less"?

"Waned in popularity" specifically refers to a decrease in popularity or favor, whereas "had gone less" is a grammatically incorrect and ambiguous phrase that doesn't clearly convey a specific meaning. It's generally better to avoid the latter.