is less so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is less so" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiomatic expression meaning "is less of the same" or "to a lesser degree". For example, you could say "Public opinion has changed positively towards gender equality in recent years, but in politics this shift is less so."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Beef is less so".

The New York Times

It is less so today.

The New Yorker

In some ways it is less so.

The Economist

Speaker Gingrich, he said, "is less so".

The New York Times

The sincerity behind it is less so.

The Economist

The son is less so.

The New York Times

This, however, is less so.

The Guardian - Sport

His paternity quest is less so.

The Guardian - Books

It is less so in other arenas.

The Guardian - Opinion

Whether he can withstand the backlash is less so.

The Economist

That was once true but is less so every year.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “is less so” to draw a direct comparison, emphasizing a difference in degree rather than a complete absence. For example, "Regulation in the tech industry is increasing, but in some sectors it “is less so” than others."

Common error

Avoid using “is less so” when there's no clear point of comparison. Ensure the sentence explicitly states what “is less so” refers to; otherwise, the statement becomes vague and lacks clarity. For example, instead of saying "Innovation is important, but funding “is less so”", specify what funding is being compared to, such as, "Innovation is important, but funding is less so than visionary leadership."

Linguistic Context

The phrase “is less so” functions as a comparative adverbial phrase. It modifies a preceding clause by indicating that the statement made in that clause is true to a lesser degree than some other implied or explicitly stated comparison point. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, “is less so” is a versatile phrase used to express a comparative reduction in degree. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and finds frequent use across a variety of contexts, including news, science, and formal writing. While it's important to ensure a clear comparison point to avoid vagueness, this phrase effectively adds nuance by qualifying a statement, rather than negating it. Alternatives like "is not as much" or "is to a lesser extent" can offer similar meanings, depending on the desired emphasis. When writing, remember that the strength of "is less so" lies in its ability to provide a subtle, comparative distinction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not as much

Emphasizes a quantitative difference, implying a smaller amount or degree.

is to a lesser extent

Highlights that something exists, but in a reduced capacity or frequency.

is not as prevalent

Focuses on the reduced commonness or widespread nature of something.

is less frequent

Indicates a lower rate of occurrence or repetition.

is not as common

Highlights that something is less often found or observed.

is diminished

Implies a reduction in importance, quality, or size.

is curtailed

Suggests a restriction or limitation imposed on something.

is reduced

Points to a decrease in quantity, size, or intensity.

is weaker

Indicates a reduction in strength, power, or effectiveness.

is softened

Suggests that something has become less harsh, intense, or severe.

FAQs

How can I use “is less so” in a sentence?

Use “is less so” to indicate that something is true to a smaller degree than something else. For example, "While some sectors are seeing rapid growth, others "is less so"".

What are some alternatives to using “is less so”?

Alternatives include phrases like "is not as much", "is to a lesser extent", or "is not as common", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use “is less so”?

Yes, “is less so” is grammatically correct and commonly used to express a comparison of degree. It implies a difference in the extent to which something is true or applicable.

What's the difference between “is less so” and "is not so"?

“Is less so” implies a comparison and a difference in degree, whereas "is not so" simply negates the statement. For instance, saying "The impact is less so" suggests the impact exists but is smaller compared to something else. Saying "The impact is not so" simply says there's no impact.