has less meaning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has less meaning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the significance or importance of two or more things, indicating that one has a lower level of meaning than the other. Example: "In the context of this discussion, the term 'happiness' has less meaning than 'fulfillment' because it is more superficial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Now the group has less meaning.

The Guardian

But publishing the numbers of requests the companies receive has less meaning now that reports show the government sees company data without submitting a legal request.

The New York Times - Tech

Broadie agreed but noted that if you take out "gimme" putts of two and a half feet, the statistic has less meaning.

The New York Times - Sports

But also because, per the North Carolina-based Pam Spaulding, the marriage equality plank has "less meaning for those of us living in states with (anti) marriage amendments who are still waiting for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (Enda)".

The Guardian - Opinion

If you live in New York or Texas, for example, it is generally a foregone conclusion which party will win your state's electoral votes, so your vote has less meaning — and it can feel especially meaningless if you vote on the losing side.

The New York Times

What they do has less meaning.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

As more trading takes place in these venues, prices on exchanges have less meaning, critics say.

The New York Times

As this is such a complicated rulemaking, we believe these Capitol Hill threats have less meaning than normal.

The New York Times

The proposed matchup metric will have less meaning in terms of predicting total yards (as these positions account for a smaller portion of a team's total yards than the quarterback position), but the measure can still be used to compare matchups between players with similar statistics.

The New York Times

Perhaps you are merely what Casamayor (the pseudonym of a distinguished judge, a member of the Court of Appeal, who writes about such matters; he is a contributor to Le Monde, for instance) has called "just a poor devil," someone penniless and shabby, of a race considered inferior — Algerian, for example; then your fate may seem to have less meaning.

The New Yorker

But serving in Austin and having many of his father's advisers around him now will probably have less meaning to the voters than Mr. Bush's attempt to define himself as a man from a different political culture than the one he said was epitomized by Mr. Gore and President Clinton.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has less meaning", ensure you clearly establish the context for comparison. What is it being compared to, and why is it less meaningful in this specific scenario?

Common error

Avoid using "has less meaning" without clearly indicating what the subject is losing meaning compared to. This can leave the reader confused about the intended comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has less meaning" primarily functions as a comparative descriptor, indicating that a subject possesses a reduced level of significance or relevance relative to something else. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, denoting a diminished sense of importance. Examples from Ludwig highlight varied applications across diverse topics.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has less meaning" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a reduction in significance or relevance. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its prevalence in News & Media and Science contexts. It's crucial to provide clear context when using the phrase to avoid ambiguity. Alternative expressions include "is less significant" or "carries less weight". Be mindful to compare the subject with something clear and make your reader to understand which are the comparison parameters. Failing to specify leads to confusion, so always provide a solid reference point. In conclusion, Ludwig's analysis reaffirms the phrase's versatility and proper usage, especially when employed with precision and appropriate context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is less significant

Emphasizes the reduced importance or consequence of something.

carries less weight

Highlights the diminished influence or impact of something.

is of diminished relevance

Focuses on the decreased applicability or pertinence of something.

holds less importance

Stresses the reduced value or significance of something.

is not as meaningful

Highlights the reduced depth or significance of something.

lacks significance

Emphasizes the absence of importance.

is less relevant

Indicates a lower degree of connection or importance to the matter at hand.

becomes less important

Highlights how importance diminishes over time or in certain contexts.

is of secondary importance

Suggests something is important but not the top priority.

is losing its significance

Highlights the gradual decline in importance or relevance.

FAQs

How can I use "has less meaning" in a sentence?

You can use "has less meaning" to compare the significance of two things, indicating that one is less important or relevant than the other. For instance, "In this situation, that rule "has less meaning" than the principle of fairness."

What are some alternatives to "has less meaning"?

Alternatives include "is less significant", "carries less weight", or "is of diminished relevance". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, 'carries less weight' implies reduced influence, while 'is less significant' implies reduced importance.

Is it correct to say "has less meaning"?

Yes, "has less meaning" is a grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase. It is used to express that something possesses a reduced level of significance or importance in a specific context, as shown by Ludwig.

What's the difference between "has less meaning" and "is meaningless"?

"Has less meaning" implies a relative reduction in importance, while "is meaningless" implies a complete lack of meaning. Something that ""has less meaning"" still possesses some significance, whereas something that "is meaningless" has none at all.