have less time

USAGE SUMMARY

'have less time' is a grammatically correct and usable sentence in written English.
It can be used to mean that someone has less time than before, or less time than someone else. For example: "I used to have more time to work on my hobby, but now I have less time due to my new job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We have less time right now.

The New York Times

They have less time and fewer resources.

The Guardian

"People have less time and less skill," he said.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Now, travelers have less time and more choices.

The New York Times

"I know I have less time," he said.

The New York Times

And you will have less time to plan it.

The Guardian - Sport

By that point the market will have less time to reduce more emissions".

The Guardian

Staff have less time to interact with them, things are missed," he said.

The Guardian

Sachs's chilling message is that we have less time than we thought.

The Guardian - Books

Will it be short-circuited and have less time to develop the deep-reading processes?

The New Yorker

"People want to eat well, but have less time to cook these days," Mr. Hirsch said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about time constraints, consider using "have less time" to clearly and directly communicate the limitation. This phrase is widely understood and applicable in diverse contexts, as Ludwig exemplifies.

Common error

Although "less" is generally used for uncountable nouns, time can be an exception in common usage. However, avoid using "fewer time" as it is grammatically incorrect; stick to "less time" or rephrase your sentence for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have less time" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating a state of possessing a reduced quantity of time. Ludwig provides examples from various contexts, demonstrating its widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

23%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have less time" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase for expressing a reduction in available time. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility allows it to fit into numerous contexts, from formal business settings to informal conversations. While generally neutral, it's important to use it precisely to convey the intended meaning, keeping in mind alternative expressions like "are short on time" or "lack the time" for subtle variations in meaning. Be mindful of the distinction between "less" and "fewer" although "less time" is accepted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack the time

Replaces "have less time" with "lack the time", indicating a complete absence of sufficient time.

are short on time

Employs "short on" to indicate a deficiency in available time.

can't spare the time

Emphasizes the inability to allocate time for something.

are pressed for time

Uses a different verb and preposition to convey a similar meaning of time scarcity.

are strapped for time

Uses "strapped for" to convey a sense of being constrained by time limitations.

time is limited

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the limited nature of time.

face time constraints

Formal way of saying "have less time".

time is scarce

Substitutes "scarce" for "limited", highlighting the rarity of time.

have reduced availability

Shifts the focus to the reduced amount of time one has available.

time is at a premium

Indicates that time is highly valued and limited.

FAQs

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

You can use "have less time" to express that you possess a reduced amount of time for a particular activity or purpose, like in the example, "I "have less time" for hobbies now that I work full-time".

What are some alternatives to "have less time"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "are short on time", "lack the time", or "are pressed for time", all conveying a similar meaning of time scarcity.

Is it grammatically correct to say "have less time"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. Although "less" typically modifies uncountable nouns, "time" is often treated as uncountable in such expressions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

What's the difference between saying "have less time" and "have fewer hours"?

"Have less time" is a more general statement about the overall availability of time. "Have fewer hours" is more specific, referring to a quantifiable reduction in the number of hours available. For example, "I "have less time" for leisure" versus "I "have fewer hours" at work this week".