it is less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is less than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing quantities, values, or measurements to indicate that one is smaller than another. Example: "The temperature today is less than 20 degrees Celsius."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is less than a year old, and its ambitious goals remain just that goals.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Some of it is less than persuasive.

The New York Times - Books

(It is less than 1 percent now).

The New York Times

"It is less than 2 percent," he said.

The New York Times

Today it is less than 30%.

The Guardian

Regulars say it is less than that.

The New York Times - Food

Much of it is less than complimentary.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is less than her costs.

The New York Times

It is less than $2 billion.

The New York Times

In this singular case, it is less than that.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Much of it is less-than-positive.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using synonyms like "it does not exceed" for a more sophisticated tone.

Common error

Avoid using "it is less than" when you actually intend to convey that something is insignificant or unimportant. Instead, reserve "it is less than" for explicit comparisons where a numerical or quantifiable difference exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is less than" functions as a comparative expression. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts to indicate a smaller quantity, value, or degree. It establishes a relationship between two entities, asserting that one is of a lower amount or extent than the other.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

43%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is less than" is a versatile phrase used for making comparisons, indicating that one quantity or value is smaller than another. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in diverse contexts, including News & Media and Science. For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "it does not exceed". Remember to reserve its usage for scenarios involving direct comparisons, avoid misinterpreting it as implying general insignificance. With its neutral register, you can use "it is less than" with confidence in a broad array of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is smaller than

Replaces 'less' with 'smaller', emphasizing size or magnitude.

it is below

Uses 'below' to indicate a lower position or value on a scale.

it is under

Employs 'under' to suggest a value beneath a certain threshold.

it does not exceed

Presents a formal alternative, highlighting that a value stays within a limit.

it is inferior to

Uses 'inferior' to imply a lower quality or status.

it falls short of

Indicates a failure to reach a specific amount or standard.

it is a fraction of

Suggests that something is a small portion of something else.

its value is diminished compared to

Highlights the decreased value relative to something else.

it constitutes a minority relative to

Focuses on the concept of being in the minority when compared.

it is eclipsed by

Indicates that something is overshadowed or surpassed by another thing.

FAQs

How do I use "it is less than" in a sentence?

Use "it is less than" to compare values or quantities, indicating that one is smaller than the other. For example, "The cost is less than expected" or "The area is less than 100 square feet".

What's the difference between "it is less than" and "it is fewer than"?

"It is less than" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., water, money), while "it is fewer than" is used with countable nouns (e.g., cars, people). For example, "There is less water in the bottle" versus "There are fewer cars on the road".

Which is more formal, "it is less than" or "it does not exceed"?

"It does not exceed" is generally more formal than "it is less than". Use "it does not exceed" in professional or academic writing for a more sophisticated tone.

Can I use "it is less than" to describe abstract concepts?

Yes, "it is less than" can be used to describe abstract concepts as long as they can be quantified or compared in some way. For example, "The risk is less than anticipated" or "The effort required is less than expected".