last much less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "last much less" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It seems to be an incorrect combination of words that lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "I thought the project would last much less time than it actually did."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Villagers are thus enjoying much greater freedom of movement than at any time since the last, much less structured, attempt at peace collapsed in 2003.

The Economist

Motor torpedo boats such as Lunasea were never intended to last, much less be lived in by a family of five.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Some pointed out other events that last much less time than a full day at Disney also can cost more than $100.

Los Angeles Times

Additionally, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer wanted and expected a new Strategic Concept to be debated and agreed upon by 2008, reinforcing already existing views that the CPG will most likely last much less than the 10 to 15 years as the guiding policy document.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But to the extent that I represent opposition to the inclinations du jour (or du news cycle, which lasts much less than a whole jour, these jours)- it is not, by any means, because I have a low-fat chip on my shoulder.

Huffington Post

In these cases, consecutive avalanches are usually well separated in time, their duration typically lasting much less than the interval among them (this separation of time scales being a hallmark of SOC models).

Plosone

When the Tea Party complains that the Republican party has become too moderate, it can't be measuring against the party of the last century, much less the last administration.

The Guardian - Opinion

One, "The Tortoise and the Hare," doesn't even date from the last millennium, much less this one.

The New York Times - Arts

This would be the second-highest total in history, but still a big drop from the $480 billion recorded last year and much less than the $490 billion of capital that is expected to flow in the other direction as the governments of emerging economies continue to add to their reserves.

The Economist

No one even knows if subscription-based e-commerce will last, period, much less who the winners (if any) will be.

TechCrunch

Most adult chemotherapies last for much less time.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing duration, it's usually clearer and more grammatically sound to use phrases like "doesn't last as long" or "lasts a shorter time" instead of "last much less".

Common error

Avoid using "last much less" as it sounds unnatural. Opt for more common and grammatically correct alternatives like "doesn't last as long" or "lasts a shorter time" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last much less" functions as a comparative, attempting to indicate that something has a shorter duration than something else. However, Ludwig AI flags it as not being standard English. More common expressions would convey this more clearly.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "last much less" is an attempt to express a shorter duration in comparison to something else. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this phrasing is not grammatically sound and suggests alternatives like "doesn't last as long" or "lasts a shorter time". While the phrase appears in various sources, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki, it's best to opt for clearer and more standard expressions to avoid awkwardness or confusion. Utilizing the suggested alternatives enhances both clarity and correctness in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

last a shorter time

Focuses on the duration aspect, using simpler wording.

last significantly less time

Emphasizes the difference in duration more strongly and uses more standard grammar.

doesn't last as long

A more straightforward and common way to express the same idea.

is of much shorter duration

More formal wording, suitable for academic or technical contexts.

is significantly briefer

Replaces "last" with "briefer" for a more concise expression.

is considerably shorter

Uses "considerably" to highlight the difference in length.

is far less durable

Focuses on durability rather than just time.

is notably less extensive

Shifts the focus to the extent or scope, not just time.

has a shorter lifespan

Emphasizes the overall lifespan or period of effectiveness.

lasts for a fraction of the time

Implies a small proportion of the duration.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "last much less" to improve clarity?

To improve clarity, use phrases like "doesn't last as long" or "lasts a shorter time" instead of "last much less".

What is a more formal alternative to "last much less"?

A more formal alternative would be "is of much shorter duration". This phrasing is suitable for academic or technical writing.

Is "last much less" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "last much less" is not considered grammatically correct. More standard phrasing includes "doesn't last as long" or "lasts a shorter time".

What's the difference between "last much less" and "last much longer"?

"Last much less" implies a shorter duration, while "last much longer" indicates a greater duration. However, it's better to phrase the former as "doesn't last as long".