has less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has less than" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used in comparison statements to highlight a lesser amount or degree of something. For example: "My new car has less than half the horsepower of my old one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Qinghai has less than 10".

The New York Times

Punta Allen has less than 500 residents.

The New York Times - Sports

Today, it has less than 2,000.

The Guardian

Bukhari Washington has less than most.

The New York Times

He has less than six weeks.

The New York Times

"The entire country has less than 700 rooms.

The New York Times

The staff has less than five minutes to reply.

The New York Times

(Spent fuel typically has less than 1.5percentt).

The New York Times

Today, it has less than half that number.

The New York Times

It has less than 8% of the tablet market.

The Economist

It now has less than a 1 percent share.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the comparison is logical and meaningful in the given context. The phrase should accurately reflect a smaller quantity or degree.

Common error

Avoid using "has less than" with countable nouns when "has fewer than" is more appropriate. For example, it's more accurate to say "the class has fewer than 20 students" instead of "the class has less than 20 students".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has less than" primarily functions as a comparative quantifier. It indicates that the subject possesses a smaller amount or degree of something compared to an implied or stated reference point. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is generally used in comparison statements to highlight a lesser amount or degree of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has less than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative quantifier in English. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's typically employed to indicate a smaller quantity or degree. It is versatile, fitting into neutral contexts like news reports and scientific articles, as well as everyday conversations. Key considerations include ensuring logical comparisons and using "fewer than" for countable nouns. Alternatives such as "is fewer than" or "falls short of" can add variety to writing. With its widespread applicability, mastering the use of "has less than" is essential for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is fewer than

Focuses on countable items rather than abstract amounts. It's often used with plural nouns.

is under

A more concise way of indicating a value that is below a certain limit.

is below

Similar to 'is under,' but often used for measurable values like temperature or sea level.

is a smaller amount than

Emphasizes the size of a quantity, suitable for continuous or non-countable nouns.

lacks

A direct and concise way to state the absence of something needed.

falls short of

Highlights the deficiency or inadequacy compared to a target or expectation.

doesn't reach

Indicates a failure to achieve a specific threshold or quantity.

is not up to

Suggests a deficiency in meeting a certain standard or level.

is deficient in

Highlights a lack or shortage in a particular quality or component.

is wanting in

A slightly more formal way to express a lack or deficiency.

FAQs

How to use "has less than" in a sentence?

Use "has less than" to indicate that a quantity, amount, or degree is smaller than another. For example, "This car has less than 100 horsepower" or "The project has less than a week to completion".

What can I say instead of "has less than"?

You can use alternatives like "is fewer than", "is a smaller amount than", or "falls short of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "has less than" or "has fewer than"?

"Has less than" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., time, money), while "has fewer than" is used with countable nouns (e.g., students, cars). For example, "He has less than $100" and "She has fewer than 10 books".

What's the difference between "has less than" and "is under"?

"Has less than" is a more explicit comparison of quantities. "Is under" is often used as a shorthand for being below a certain threshold or limit, such as "The cost is under $50".