is less explicit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is less explicit" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing the clarity or directness of two statements or pieces of information, indicating that one is not as clear as the other. Example: "The second explanation is less explicit than the first, leaving room for interpretation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

He's getting it from both ends here, although Morkel's attack is less explicit than Steyn.

The Guardian - Sport

The problem is less explicit sexism and more unconscious structures and nuance in the way the system works, she said.

The Guardian

"Alaska" owes an obvious musical debt to the Neptunes — you can hear it in the space between the beats — but most of its borrowing is less explicit.

The New Yorker

Now, in a band without piano or any extra percussion, the new music is less explicit about anything; it doesn't need to be.

The New York Times - Arts

But "The Skies Belong to Us" has a more urgent theme, though Koerner is less explicit about it: the often circumstantial nature of political violence.

The New York Times - Books

In "Junun," a new movie directed by Paul Thomas Anderson that documents the recording of an album by the Israeli composer Shye Ben Tzur, that directive is less explicit, but nonetheless evident: Crank.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Others are less explicit.

The New York Times - Travel

Newer shows on broadcast networks are less explicit.

The New York Times - Arts

Hostility can be less explicit with disability hate crime.

The Guardian

Andrew Parker, the head of the domestic security agency, MI5, was less explicit on Thursday.

The New York Times

He has been less explicit about whether Blair could plausibly be sent to the International Criminal Court for war crimes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is less explicit" when you want to compare the directness of two things, indicating that one is more subtle or implied than the other.

Common error

Avoid using "is less explicit" when you simply mean something is wrong or incorrect. Subtlety implies intention, so ensure the lack of explicitness is a deliberate choice, not an oversight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is less explicit" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe something that conveys information in a more subtle or indirect manner when compared to something else. Ludwig shows this usage across a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is less explicit" is a versatile comparative phrase used to indicate a lower degree of directness or clarity in communication. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its common usage in news, science, and business contexts. It's crucial to use the phrase when comparing two things, highlighting that one is more subtle or implied than the other. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not as clear

Highlights a lack of clarity or precision.

is not as direct

Emphasizes a lack of straightforwardness in the communication.

is less obvious

Focuses on the reduced visibility or ease of perception.

is less straightforward

Highlights a more circuitous or indirect approach.

is more implicit

Indicates a higher degree of implication rather than direct statement.

is not as apparent

Emphasizes that something is less easily noticed or understood.

is more vague

Indicates a lack of specificity or detail.

is more subtle

Highlights the understated nature of the expression.

is more understated

Stresses the restrained or subtle quality of the expression.

is more nuanced

Suggests a greater degree of complexity and subtlety in the expression.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "is less explicit"?

When something "is less explicit", it means it's communicated in a more subtle or indirect way. The information is not stated plainly, requiring the audience to infer meaning.

What can I say instead of "is less explicit"?

You can use alternatives like "is more implicit", "is not as direct", or "is more subtle" depending on the context.

How do I use "is less explicit" in a sentence?

Use "is less explicit" to compare two things, showing that one is more indirect or less clear than the other. For example, "His apology was sincere, but his explanation "is less explicit" about his motivations."

What's the difference between "is less explicit" and "is implicit"?

"Is less explicit" indicates a lower degree of directness compared to something else, while "is implicit" suggests something is implied or understood without being directly stated. Something that "is less explicit" still has some degree of directness, whereas something that "is implicit" relies entirely on suggestion.