heard less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heard less than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the frequency or volume of something that was heard in relation to another quantity or amount. Example: "I heard less than I expected during the presentation, which made it difficult to follow along."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

For those of us on the outside, we heard less than a one-seventh of the case.

BBC

I've heard less than flattering things about the WSJ channel, which delivers live news content, but only during certain hours, unlike the Bloomberg effort.

TechCrunch

At the end of this waiting time the node makes a decision for that message: if the node heard less than a given number n of retransmissions (line 14), the node chooses to retransmit the message itself (line 15), otherwise it does not.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

One patient heard less than expected.

Ear and Hearing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I've heard less-than-stellar reports on the system's benchmarking and battery life, and it doesn't approach Toshiba's upmarket Qosmio's in terms of multimedia prowess, but it also won't rape your wallet like it's big brother.

TechCrunch

After meeting for two days and hearing less than 20 minutes of testimony from four witnesses, the jury voted not to indict.

The New York Times

These days, you hear less than you used to about alleged African-American social dysfunction, because traditional families have become much weaker among working-class whites, too.

The New York Times

What they need to know is exactly how much it will cost to pay back the loan after graduation, information about which they tend to hear less than the Web-site-quality matter.

The New York Times

(Moreover, the Supreme Court usually only agrees to hear less than 1.4% of petitions each year).

Science Magazine

In fact, trust me, there are few things people want to hear less than one human being complaining about how he or she was fucked over by another and how, as the Corrs once unconvincingly sang, "I never really loved you anyway".

TechCrunch

Mellor concludes: "We've had to wait some 80 years to hear less than three minutes of music, and the mystery of the Eighth isn't set to unfold any more rapidly from here".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "heard less than", ensure the comparison is clear and the context specifies what is being heard and what it's being compared to. This maintains clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "heard less than" without a clear reference point for comparison. For instance, instead of saying "I heard less than before", specify "I heard less than I expected" or "I heard less than my colleague".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heard less than" functions as a comparative, indicating a lower degree of auditory perception or reception compared to something else. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and used to describe a situation where someone perceived less sound than expected.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "heard less than" is a grammatically sound and rarely used comparative expression indicating a lower degree of auditory perception. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions to express a difference in auditory experience. While the phrase is used across different registers, it's most common in news and media, and scientific contexts. To ensure clarity, make sure the comparison is evident in your writing. Consider using alternative phrases like "listened to fewer than" for variety and depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heard fainter than

Highlights how the sounds are perceived quieter and less clear.

heard a lower volume than

Focuses on the loudness of what was heard, implying a quieter sound.

picked up fewer sounds than

Indicates a reduced capacity to detect sounds.

listened to less than

Emphasizes active listening rather than passive hearing.

perceived less audibly than

Focuses on the quality of the auditory perception.

had less auditory input than

Highlights the overall sensory experience of hearing.

received less information than

Shifts the focus to the amount of information conveyed aurally.

detected fewer signals than

Emphasizes the reception of specific auditory signals.

was not informed as much as

Highlights a lack of information received through auditory means compared to another source.

experienced reduced sound reception compared to

Formally expresses a lower level of sound being received relative to another.

FAQs

How can I use "heard less than" in a sentence?

You can use "heard less than" to compare the amount or intensity of sound perceived in different situations, such as "I "heard less than" I anticipated at the concert".

What are some alternatives to saying "heard less than"?

Alternatives include phrases like "listened to fewer than", "received less information than", or "was not informed as much as", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "heard less than"?

Yes, "heard less than" is grammatically correct when used to make a comparison. Ensure that the comparison is clear and that the context makes sense.

What's the difference between "heard less than" and "didn't hear as much as"?

"Heard less than" directly compares the quantity or intensity of sound perceived, while "didn't hear as much as" can also imply a lack of specific information received through auditory means. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the sound itself or the information conveyed.