increasingly less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'increasingly less' is a grammatically correct phrase that is commonly used in written English.
It is used to express the idea that something has become less and less over time. For example: "Over the past five years, the amount of fish in the lake has decreased, becoming increasingly less."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Increasingly less so.

MIT Technology Review

Taiwanese voters appear increasingly less convinced.

The Economist

They grew increasingly less important and were eliminated in 1990.

The New York Times - Sports

Plainly, after 1982 painting was increasingly less fun for Basquiat.

The New Yorker

"You have increasingly less efficient decisions that are being made".

The New York Times

The picture desk function has become increasingly less relevant.

The Guardian

But telephone service is increasingly less expensive and commoditized.

The New York Times

Full-time residents buy there, but increasingly less so.

The New York Times - Travel

Using passwords alone to protect your online accounts is increasingly less secure.

Columbia University

All sincerely felt, but those who watch are increasingly less absorbed by the long game.

Independent

By contrast, News International has contributed increasingly less to News Corp.'s bottom line.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "increasingly less" to describe trends or changes over time where something is diminishing in degree or amount. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is becoming less.

Common error

Avoid using "increasingly less" when describing countable nouns. "Fewer" should be used instead. For example, it's more appropriate to say "increasingly fewer opportunities" rather than "increasingly less opportunities."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increasingly less" functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the degree to which something is diminishing. Ludwig shows examples across various contexts, demonstrating its role in describing gradual decline or reduction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "increasingly less" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe something diminishing over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in news and media, but also acceptable in academic and formal contexts. While versatile, it's important to remember to use "increasingly fewer" for countable nouns instead. Understanding this nuance will enhance your writing and ensure clarity when describing decreasing trends.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progressively diminishing

Emphasizes a gradual decline.

steadily decreasing

Highlights a consistent rate of reduction.

gradually declining

Similar to progressively diminishing, focusing on a slow decrease.

ever decreasing

Implies a continuous and ongoing reduction.

continually lessening

Focuses on the persistent reduction in something.

becoming rarer

Highlights the reduction in occurrence or availability.

waning importance

Shifts the focus to diminishing significance rather than quantity.

fading away

Suggests a gradual disappearance or decline.

dwindling steadily

Emphasizes a reduction in size or amount at a consistent pace.

shrinking progressively

Highlights the gradual reduction in size or scope.

FAQs

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

You can use "increasingly less" to show a gradual decrease over time, for example, "The project became "increasingly less" appealing as the deadline approached".

What are some alternatives to saying "increasingly less"?

Alternatives include "progressively diminishing", "steadily decreasing", or "gradually declining", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always correct to use "increasingly less", or are there situations where another phrase is better?

While "increasingly less" is grammatically correct, it's best suited for non-countable nouns. For countable nouns, use "increasingly fewer". For example, say "increasingly fewer options" instead of "increasingly less options".

What is the difference between "increasingly less" and "decreasingly"?

"Increasingly less" emphasizes a gradual reduction, while "decreasingly" is less common and may sound awkward in some contexts. It's generally safer to use "increasingly less" for clarity and naturalness.