have less meaning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'have less meaning' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to discuss how something has lost its importance or emphasis due to some factor. For example, "After so many changes in the company policies, the slogan 'Excellence is key' started to have less meaning for the employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Now the Democrats' contests have less meaning, as well.

The Washington Post

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

The New York Times

Besides, when indicators are just slightly off -- or contradictory -- they may have less meaning.

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

Just as his skating is an unscripted mix of simultaneously precise and hair-raising movements, his writing is a blend of humor and pathos: "The king of the zoo is the man with the food" and "Slowly day after day your life will start to have less meaning".

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But the restrictions had less meaning in a digital age when foreign reporters attend State Department briefings and U.S.-based reporters follow teleconferences held by U.S. officials abroad.

The Washington Post

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have less meaning", ensure the context clearly indicates what factor is causing the reduction in significance. For example, "With increased globalization, national borders have less meaning."

Common error

Avoid using "have less meaning" without specifying what the subject is losing meaning compared to. Provide a reference point to make the statement impactful. Vague statements like "Life has less meaning" should be clarified with a context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have less meaning" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating a reduction in importance, relevance, or significance. Ludwig provides examples illustrating how various subjects can "have less meaning" in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have less meaning" is used to express a reduction in the significance or importance of something. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and can be used to discuss how something has lost its importance due to a specific factor. Common contexts for its usage include News & Media and Science. To enhance clarity, ensure the context specifies what's causing the reduction in meaning. Alternatives include "matter less" and "lose importance".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

matter less

Highlights a decline in consequence or importance.

lose importance

Directly indicates the decline in value or relevance.

carry less weight

Focuses on the influence or impact being diminished.

hold less significance

Emphasizes the reduction in importance or value.

become less relevant

Highlights the decreasing pertinence or applicability.

diminish in significance

More formal way of saying that something is becoming less important.

decline in relevance

Indicates a decrease in the degree to which something is related or useful.

lack impact

Focuses on the reduced effect or influence.

wane in importance

Implies a gradual decrease in significance over time.

hold reduced value

Highlights a decline in the worth or usefulness.

FAQs

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

Use "have less meaning" to indicate a decrease in importance or relevance. For example, "Promises "have less meaning" when they are repeatedly broken."

What's a formal alternative to "have less meaning"?

A more formal alternative is "hold less significance" or "diminish in importance". For example, "These statistics "hold less significance" when considered in isolation."

What can I say instead of "have less meaning"?

You can use alternatives like "matter less", "become less relevant", or "lose importance depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "has less meaning" instead of "have less meaning"?

Yes, use "has less meaning" with singular subjects (e.g., "The rule has less meaning now"), and "have less meaning" with plural subjects (e.g., "These rules "have less meaning" now").