is less valid

USAGE SUMMARY

"is less valid" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to compare the validity or strength of two statements or arguments. Example: "While both arguments have valid points, the argument in favor of stricter gun control laws is less valid than the argument for individual gun ownership rights."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

When an intervention is aiming at restoring lower extremity dysfunction, such an instrument is less valid and responsive and an outcome instrument validated for the lower extremity is a better choice.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

And as for that old chestnut about a group of young people going out for a drink but spending all their time on their phones instead of talking to each other, who's to say their online communication is less valid than the "real" equivalent?

The Guardian - Opinion

The low response frequency does not necessarily mean that this concept is less valid to the respondents than vulnerability.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

However, the VNRS is less valid in that context because of its wide limits of agreement and variable bias (mainly in lower scores).

PAIN

Such  a move however  is less valid for Diogenes Laërtius, in spite of the fact that this author several times makes a distinction between the life (bios) of a person (Plato; the Stoic Zeno of Citium) and the areskonta or dogmata of this person, or of his school.

SEP

This mindset can be damaging as it could lead to the belief that action research projects done by teacher practitioners is less valid and reliable in contrast to university researchers, which further puts to question the meaningfulness and value of engaging in action research.

Asia-Pacific Science Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

You say you "reward schools that teach the traditional subjects", but neglect to mention that this means by default students are getting less technology, drama, art and music, as if these are less valid or less useful.

The Guardian

I persist in this formulaic asking and telling because my sense of myself has turned out to be less valid than my oncologist's assessment of me.

The New York Times

The method of selection must be less valid, "or it will threaten the fundamental principle of parliamentary rule, that the government is responsible to the first chamber and not the second".

The Guardian - Opinion

"It creates a suspicion that their scores are less valid than others, stigmatizing students with disabilities in exactly the way the Americans with Disabilities Act is supposed to prevent," said Josh Konecky, the lawyer for Disability Rights Advocates, the nonprofit law group in Oakland, Calif., that represents Mr. Breimhorst.

The New York Times

However, the figures published for each named surgeon are not risk-adjusted and therefore are less valid as a basis for comparison.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the validity of two different ideas or methods, use "is less valid" to clearly express that one is weaker or less reliable than the other.

Common error

Avoid assuming that if something "is less valid", it is entirely invalid. "Is less valid" indicates a spectrum of validity, not an absolute state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is less valid" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It qualifies a noun or idea by indicating that it possesses a reduced degree of validity compared to something else. Ludwig examples demonstrate this across various contexts, showing its role in assessing the strength or soundness of arguments, methods, or data.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

69%

News & Media

23%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is less valid" serves as a comparative tool, indicating a reduced degree of truth or soundness. Ludwig's analysis confirms it's grammatically sound and commonly used, particularly in scientific and news contexts. While the phrase isn't as frequent in business or encyclopedic writing, its usage is consistent and clear. When using "is less valid", remember that it indicates a comparison rather than absolute invalidity. By considering the alternatives and avoiding common errors, writers can use "is less valid" effectively to communicate nuanced assessments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not as valid

Changes the phrasing to a negative comparison using "not as", implying a lower degree of validity.

is comparatively invalid

Replaces "less valid" with "comparatively invalid" for stronger emphasis on the lack of validity.

holds less validity

Shifts the verb to "holds" to emphasize the extent of validity.

is of diminished validity

Uses more formal language to indicate a reduced level of validity.

carries less weight

Employs a metaphorical expression conveying that something is not important.

is not quite as sound

Replaces "valid" with "sound" to express that something is not correct.

is open to question

Expresses that the validity is uncertain.

is somewhat questionable

Indicates that something is doubtful or uncertain.

is not entirely correct

Changes the phrasing to express that something is not entirely correct.

is deemed less credible

Substitutes "valid" with "credible" to focus on the believability of something.

FAQs

How can I use "is less valid" in a sentence?

Use "is less valid" to show that something is not strong as something else, for example: "This approach "is less valid" because it doesn't account for all the variables".

What are some alternatives to saying "is less valid"?

You can use alternatives like "is not as valid", "is comparatively invalid", or "holds less validity" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "is less valid" or "is invalid"?

The choice depends on the context. "Is less valid" implies a comparison, suggesting something has some validity but not as much as something else. "Is invalid" means something has no validity at all.

What's the difference between "is less valid" and "is less reliable"?

"Is less valid" refers to the truthfulness or logical soundness of something, while "is less reliable" refers to the consistency or dependability of something. Validity concerns accuracy, while reliability concerns consistency. For example, "This data "is less valid" because the sample was biased", and "This method "is less reliable" because it produces inconsistent results".