how much less

USAGE SUMMARY

"how much less" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used when comparing how much less one quantity is than another. For example, "If I had invested the money today, I would have $10,000. How much less is that than if I had invested it two years ago?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

How much less?

The New York Times - Tech

But how much less?

MIT Technology Review

How much less was later quantified.

The New York Times - Magazine

But no one knows how much less.

The New York Times - Health

That's the thesis.... "How much less school do you want?

The New York Times

"How much less we will have to wait and see".

The Guardian

Private experts disagree on just how much less.

The New York Times

But just how much less protein do those plants have?

The Guardian

How much less would you pay the supplier if it had competition?

Harvard University

How much less suffering would we cause one another for decades and even centuries?

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

For example-how much less muscle motion can you use to get the same effect?

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two quantities, clearly state both quantities to provide context for "how much less". For example, instead of "The new model costs how much less?", write "The old model cost $100; how much less does the new model cost?"

Common error

Avoid using "how much less" without a clear reference point. For instance, saying "It's how much less?" without specifying what it's less than makes the statement vague and confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how much less" primarily functions as an interrogative phrase used to inquire about the degree or extent of a reduction in quantity, value, or other measurable attribute. This aligns with Ludwig's AI explanation and the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how much less" is a versatile and frequently used interrogative phrase for inquiring about the extent of a reduction. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is found across various contexts, including news, academia, and science, but is most prevalent in news and media. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the points of comparison to avoid ambiguity. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives exist for professional settings. By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, writers can effectively incorporate "how much less" in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by how much diminished

Stresses the extent of the decrease or reduction.

to what extent fewer

Emphasizes the degree of reduction, focusing on a specific quantity.

how greatly decreased

Emphasizes the size or impact of the decrease.

by what margin smaller

Highlights the difference or gap in size between two things.

how significantly reduced

Focuses on the importance or impact of the reduction.

by what amount smaller

Highlights the numeric difference in size.

what proportion diminished

Emphasizes the relative amount that has decreased.

how far short of

Indicates the difference between an actual value and a target or expected value.

what is the shortfall

Focuses on the missing amount or deficit.

to what degree curtailed

Highlights the limitation or restriction imposed.

FAQs

How can I use "how much less" in a sentence?

Use "how much less" to inquire about the difference in quantity, value, or degree between two things. For example, "If the train ticket costs $50, "how much less" is the bus ticket?"

What's a formal way to ask "how much less"?

In a formal context, you could ask "To what extent is it reduced?" or "By what amount is it diminished?" These phrases convey a similar meaning to "how much less" but sound more professional.

Is it correct to say "how many less" instead of "how much less"?

While "how much less" refers to continuous or non-countable quantities (e.g., time, money, effort), "how many fewer" refers to discrete, countable items (e.g., apples, people, cars). Saying "how many less" is grammatically incorrect.

What are some alternatives to "how much less"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "by what amount", "to what degree", or "what is the difference?" to replace "how much less". For instance, instead of saying ""how much less" expensive is it?", you could ask "What is the price difference?"