in less time

USAGE SUMMARY

"in less time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when you want to convey that something happens quickly or in a shorter amount of time. For example: "The new computer software will speed up production, allowing us to complete tasks in less time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Women have babies in less time than that".

The New York Times

If I put in less time, my work would suffer.

The Guardian - Money

You can get a liquor license in less time.

The New York Times

"That's what we're about, better pizza in less time".

The New York Times

"We are expected to do more in less time and on a smaller budget.

The Guardian

The second world war was over in less time than that.

The Guardian - Opinion

Whole cities rise in China in less time; so did the original World Trade Center.

The New Yorker

Officials fear that a rush to make the changes in less time could result in error.

The New York Times

You can assemble the marinade in less time than it takes to preheat the broiler.

The New York Times - Food

As Ms. Shamoian said: "People want to do more in less time.

The New York Times

I have seen projects turn desert into farmland in less time.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in less time" to emphasize efficiency gains. For example, "Automating this process allows us to complete the task in less time".

Common error

Avoid using "in less time" when comparing completion dates directly. Instead of saying 'The project was completed in less time than last year', specify the timeframe: 'The project was completed in three months, less than the four months it took last year'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in less time" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate a reduction in the duration required for an action or process. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

27%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in less time" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate efficiency and speed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various writing styles. Ludwig's examples showcase its prevalence in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, highlighting its neutral register and broad communicative purpose. When using this phrase, focus on emphasizing the efficiency gained and avoid direct comparisons of completion dates without specifying the timeframes. Alternatives such as "more rapidly" or "in a shorter timeframe" can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more rapidly

Focuses on the speed of the action, emphasizing quickness.

more swiftly

Similar to "more rapidly", but can imply a greater sense of ease or efficiency.

in a shorter timeframe

More formal and emphasizes the limited duration.

more efficiently

Focuses on achieving the same result with less wasted effort or resources.

sooner

A simpler, more direct way to say something happens earlier than expected.

quicker

A colloquial term emphasizing the speed of an action.

expeditiously

A more formal term, focusing on efficiency and promptness.

in a compressed period

Highlights that the duration has been reduced or condensed.

at an accelerated pace

Emphasizes an increased rate or speed of progress.

with greater speed

Emphasizes the aspect of speed rather than the reduction of time itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "in less time" to indicate that something is achieved more quickly or efficiently. For example, "The new software helps us process data "in less time"".

What are some alternatives to "in less time"?

Alternatives include phrases like "more rapidly", "more swiftly", or "in a shorter timeframe", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "in lesser time" instead of "in less time"?

While "lesser" can mean smaller, ""in less time"" is the more common and grammatically standard way to express a shorter duration.

What's the difference between "in less time" and "in no time"?

"In less time" implies a measurable reduction in duration, while "in no time" means very quickly or almost immediately.