is less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is less than" is a valid phrase in written English and can be used to express that a value or amount is lower than another.
For example: "The average score on the test was 80%, which is less than the 85% required to pass."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The ensemble is less than," she said.

The New York Times

Some of it is less than persuasive.

The New York Times - Books

And her support is less than resounding.

The New York Times

The situation is less than ideal.

Independent

Commercial law is less than rudimentary.

The Economist

The population is less than 800,000.

The Economist

Service, while friendly, is less than impeccable.

The New Yorker

This is less than in the past.

The Economist

The country is less than convinced.

The New Yorker

Such speculation is less than helpful.

The New York Times

(It is less than 1 percent now).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about statistical data, use "is less than" to provide context and comparison with other relevant benchmarks or historical data points. This helps the reader understand the significance of the information.

Common error

Avoid using "less than" when referring to countable items; use "fewer than" instead. "Less than" is for uncountable nouns (e.g., "less than 500 ml of water"), while "fewer than" is for countable nouns (e.g., "fewer than 10 students").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is less than" functions as a comparative operator, indicating that one quantity, value, or degree is smaller or lower than another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

28%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is less than" serves as a fundamental tool for comparison, signifying that one entity has a smaller value compared to another. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically sound and widely applicable. The phrase appears frequently in formal settings such as academic papers and news reports, as well as in more informal contexts. While simple in structure, it's crucial to use "is less than" accurately, especially distinguishing it from "fewer than" when referring to countable items. By understanding its function and purpose, you can confidently employ "is less than" to convey precise comparisons in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is smaller than

Emphasizes a difference in size.

is lower than

Focuses on a difference in numerical value or rank.

is inferior to

Highlights a difference in quality or status.

does not exceed

Indicates an upper limit that is not surpassed.

is under

Implies a quantity below a specified threshold.

is not as great as

Offers a more descriptive comparison of magnitude.

is a fraction of

Suggests a smaller portion relative to a whole.

is dwarfed by

Conveys a significant difference in scale.

is overshadowed by

Indicates one thing is less prominent or noticeable.

is a subset of

Specifies that one thing is part of a larger set.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "is less than" in a sentence?

The phrase "is less than" is used for comparisons. For example, "The cost of the repair "is less than" the price of a new one". Ensure that you are comparing quantities with the same units.

What alternatives can I use instead of "is less than"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "is smaller than", "is lower than", or "is inferior to" to express a similar meaning.

Which is correct, "less than 5 items" or "fewer than 5 items"?

When referring to countable items, the correct phrase is "fewer than". Therefore, "fewer than 5 items" is the grammatically correct option. "Less than" is used for uncountable nouns, for example, "less than 5 liters of water".

Is there a specific context where "is less than" is preferred over other comparative phrases?

The phrase ""is less than"" is preferred when making direct numerical comparisons or establishing a quantitative threshold. Other phrases might be more appropriate when comparing qualities or subjective attributes.