it should be less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it should be less" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a quantity or degree that you believe should be reduced or minimized. Example: "In order to improve the overall quality of the project, it should be less focused on quantity and more on quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

The article quoted officials and outside analysts as saying that once China has more missiles in its arsenal, it should be less concerned about Mr. Bush's missile defense system -- because China would have a sufficient number of missiles to overwhelm any American missile defense now being contemplated.

The New York Times

First, it should be less generous with jobless benefits.

The Economist

Nearly half say it should be less so.

The Economist

"It should be less of an eye chart," Howard said.

The New York Times

"I thought it should be less," Ms. Hepburn said.

The New York Times

Thus it should be less vulnerable to charges of price fixing.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

As one journalist at the time put it: "There should be less government in business and more business in government".

Huffington Post

Those are the ones who are either making higher amounts and can afford it, or should be less reckless with their buys.

Huffington Post

Importantly, the outcome is tuning of target expression instead of blunting it which should be less detrimental to healthy tissues.

F1000Research

BT said it believed there should be less regulation in the market, and it would be presenting its views on the proposals to the regulator.

The Guardian

It's great and should be less of a secret than it is.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it should be less", clearly specify what is being reduced to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The budget should be less than $1000".

Common error

Avoid using "it should be less" without a clear reference. Ensure the 'it' is explicitly defined to maintain clarity and avoid confusing the reader. For instance, instead of "It should be less", specify "The amount of sugar should be less".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it should be less" primarily functions as a modal expression indicating a desired or recommended reduction. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts to suggest a decrease in quantity, intensity, or degree.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it should be less" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression for recommending or desiring a reduction. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. To ensure clarity, specify what "it" refers to when using the phrase and avoid vague references. Alternatives such as "it must be reduced" or "it ought to be smaller" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it must be reduced

Indicates necessity for reduction, often formally.

it ought to be smaller

Suggests a reduction in size or dimension.

it ought to lessen

Emphasizes gradual reduction in intensity or degree.

it needs to decrease

Focuses on the action of diminishing something.

it must contract

Indicates a need for something to become smaller, often formally.

it has to diminish

Emphasizes an obligation for something to lessen.

it should shrink

Implies a physical reduction in size or scope.

it has to lighten

Focuses on reducing weight or burden.

it needs trimming

Suggests a reduction by cutting or removing excess.

it should alleviate

Implies lessening a burden or problem.

FAQs

How can I use "it should be less" in a sentence?

Use "it should be less" to express a desired reduction in quantity, intensity, or degree. For example, "The waiting time "it should be less" than 30 minutes."

What are some alternatives to "it should be less"?

Alternatives include "it must be reduced", "it ought to be smaller", or "it needs to decrease", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it should be less"?

Yes, "it should be less" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express a desired reduction or minimization.

What's the difference between "it should be less" and "it has to be less"?

"It should be less" expresses a recommendation or desire, while "it has to be less" implies a requirement or necessity.