just less than

USAGE SUMMARY

'just less than' is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it when referring to a quantity that is almost but not quite up to a certain amount. For example, you could say, "I'm just less than three minutes late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That's just less than two quid.

The Guardian - Money

My Kipsang number is just less than a mile.

The New Yorker

Here, I'm most definitely wearing makeup, just less than usual.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We moved in just less than a month later.

The Guardian - Money

Later they fell back slightly to just less than $114.

The Guardian - Business

They do -- just less than under the old, looser system.

The New York Times

Just less than 1.8 million of these part-time workers were in the UK in 2014.

Independent

These variants carry a high-explosive charge of just less than three pounds.

The New York Times

Sissoko was purchased from Toulouse just less than two weeks ago, for about £1.8 million.

The New York Times - Sports

In 1990 there was a big bulge of people spending just less than $1.25 a day.

The Economist

The Clippers averaged just less than 1.1 points per possession this season.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just less than" when you want to emphasize that a value is very close to, but still below, a specific threshold. It adds a nuance of precision and proximity to the value.

Common error

Avoid using "just less than" when the actual difference is significant. For instance, don't say "The price was just less than $100" if the price was actually $70. This dilutes the meaning and makes the statement misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just less than" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating that a value is slightly below a given amount. It modifies a noun or noun phrase to provide a sense of approximation. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just less than" is a versatile phrase used to convey that a value is slightly below a specific amount. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It functions as a quantifier to add a nuance of precision, implying a small difference. Examples from Ludwig highlight its usage in News & Media and Scientific contexts, demonstrating its suitability for both formal and informal communication. When using the phrase, ensure the actual difference is indeed small to avoid misleading the audience. Consider alternatives like "slightly below" or "a little under" for variations in expression. By understanding its function and appropriate contexts, writers can effectively use "just less than" to add precision and clarity to their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly below

Indicates a small difference in magnitude, emphasizing the proximity to a specific value.

a little under

Emphasizes the small margin by which the quantity falls short of the specified amount.

marginally lower than

Highlights that the amount is only slightly smaller, with a focus on the narrow difference.

fractionally beneath

Suggests a very small difference, emphasizing the minor extent to which it doesn't reach the threshold.

almost but not quite

Directly conveys that the amount is near but still short of the mentioned value.

in close proximity to

Conveys nearness or adjacency in quantity, indicating that the value is nearly equivalent to another.

not quite reaching

Indicates the amount does not fully meet the standard, emphasizing the missing portion.

scarcely under

Underscores the minimal difference and how close the amount is to the benchmark.

barely shy of

Stresses how little the amount lacks to reach the specified value, highlighting the closeness.

only a hair's breadth from

Uses a figurative expression to indicate how close the value is without actually reaching it.

FAQs

How can I use "just less than" in a sentence?

You can use "just less than" to indicate that a value is slightly below a specific number, for example: "The project took "just less than three months" to complete".

What are some alternatives to "just less than"?

Alternatives include "slightly below", "a little under", or "almost but not quite", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "just less than" in formal writing?

Yes, "just less than" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and precise way to convey that a value is a bit below a certain point, as demonstrated by its usage in news articles and scientific publications.

What's the difference between "just less than" and "less than"?

"Just less than" implies a small difference, suggesting the value is very close to the specified number. Simply saying "less than" doesn't provide this nuance of proximity.