leaner than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leaner than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the body composition or physical attributes of two subjects, indicating that one has less body fat or is slimmer than the other. Example: "After months of training, she is now leaner than she was last summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Have its competitors become leaner than it has?

The Economist

"The industry is smaller and leaner than at any time in many years".

The New York Times

It's generally leaner than beef and eaten on purpose by many people in many countries.

The New York Times

Venison is leaner than veal, but braising made it rich and tender.

The New York Times - Food

Built for arid conditions, goats are leaner than cows, sheep or pigs.

Independent

They can build it faster and they can operate it leaner than we can.

The New York Times

Mr. Bush's acceptance speech was shorter and leaner than many in the past -- 52 minutes long.

The New York Times

Wild turkeys are leaner than domesticated birds and generally have a richer flavor.

The New York Times - Travel

They are leaner than Long Island duck and can be quite tough when grilled.

The New York Times

It's a top-class local authority and definitely leaner than most central government departments.

The Guardian

Though his campaign is leaner than his rival's, McCain says he is happy with the progress.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In health and fitness contexts, specify the metric used to determine leanness (e.g., body fat percentage, muscle mass ratio) for clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "leaner than" in contexts where the comparison is about emotional resilience or empathy. Using "more emotionally detached" or "less empathetic" would be more appropriate and precise, as physical leanness doesn't translate well to emotional states.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaner than" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to compare two subjects, indicating that one possesses a lower proportion of body fat or is more efficient in resource utilization, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples from news and scientific sources. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "leaner than" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed comparative adjective phrase. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness, and the examples demonstrate its widespread use in comparing physical attributes and operational efficiencies. Predominantly found in news and scientific contexts, as evidenced by Ludwig's analysis of various authoritative sources, the phrase serves to highlight distinctions between subjects with precision. Understanding its nuanced usage ensures effective communication across diverse fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more slender than

Focuses specifically on slenderness as a physical characteristic.

less fatty than

Emphasizes a lower fat content in a direct comparison.

more streamlined than

Suggests a more efficient or optimized form, often used metaphorically.

more efficient than

Focuses on operational efficiency rather than physical appearance.

more economical than

Highlights a cost-saving or resource-efficient aspect.

more spare than

Implies a lack of excess or ornamentation.

less wasteful than

Highlights reduced wastefulness in a comparative context.

more athletic than

Suggests a higher level of fitness or athleticism.

more wiry than

Implies a lean and strong physique, often with a sinewy appearance.

more trim than

Suggests a neat and well-maintained appearance, often in reference to body shape.

FAQs

How can I use "leaner than" in a sentence?

You can use "leaner than" to compare the body composition of two individuals, such as "After training, she was "leaner than" before." It can also describe organizational efficiency, like "The new department is "leaner than" the old one".

What are some alternatives to using "leaner than"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "slimmer than", "thinner than", "more streamlined than", or "less fatty than".

Is it appropriate to use "leaner than" to describe a company's operations?

Yes, "leaner than" can be used to describe a company's operations, especially when referring to efficiency, resource allocation, or staffing. For example, "The company's new structure is "leaner than" its previous one, with fewer management layers."

Which is correct, "leaner than" or "more lean than"?

"Leaner than" is the correct and more common usage. "Lean" is a gradable adjective that forms its comparative with the suffix "-er", so "leaner" is preferred over "more lean".