less

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'less' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a comparative form of the word 'little', meaning something has a smaller or lower amount than something else, or that something is happening to a lesser extent. Example sentence: I have less money than I did last year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it is no less shocking to consider that, far from being neutral as was claimed at the time, it is clear that the government took a deliberately calculated political approach guided by a complete hostility to the coalfield communities.

The Guardian

Asked if she expected Ukip to run have Labour so close, she said: "To be honest with you I have been through more or less every scenario.

The Guardian

Less likely.

The Economist

"We've been selling print books for 15 years and Kindle books for less than four years".

The New York Times - Tech

We can more or less know what you're thinking about".

The Economist

This – and nothing less than this – should be our common goal.

The Guardian

Provided GNM has received your notice of cancellation within this time frame (and acknowledged your notice), GNM will refund any fees received from you less the deposit where applicable.

The Guardian

He said it was "less efficacious for the real economy than most people suppose".

The New York Times

The steps included increasing the broader retirement age to 65 and cutting public salaries to bring the deficit down from the current 13.6 percent of G.D.P. to less than 3 percent in 2014.

The New York Times

A lot less".

The New York Times

IT WAS over in less than three minutes.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing quantities, ensure that "less" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., "less water"), while "fewer" is used with countable nouns (e.g., "fewer apples").

Common error

Avoid using "less" with countable nouns. The common mistake is to say "less cars" when it should be "fewer cars". Remember, "less" is for uncountable nouns, and "fewer" is for countable nouns.

Linguistic Context

The word "less" primarily functions as a determiner, adjective, or adverb indicating a smaller quantity, degree, or extent. Ludwig AI confirms its use in comparative contexts, aligning with examples showing reduction or deficiency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less" is a versatile word used to indicate a smaller quantity, degree, or extent. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to express comparison or reduction, making it a fundamental part of the English language. The examples show its frequent usage in news and media, and business contexts, and is generally considered grammatically correct. Remember to use "less" with uncountable nouns and "fewer" with countable nouns. By understanding its proper use and available alternatives, you can improve the precision and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smaller amount

Focuses on the quantity being diminished.

to a lesser degree

Emphasizes the reduced intensity or extent of something.

fewer

Specifically refers to a smaller number of countable items.

reduced

Highlights the act of decreasing something.

lower

Indicates a decrease in level, amount, or intensity.

diminished

Suggests a gradual reduction or weakening.

decreased

Implies a measurable reduction.

not as much

Expresses a comparison of quantity or degree.

a shortage of

Indicates an insufficient supply or amount.

lack of

Indicates complete absence or insufficiency

FAQs

How do I use "less" correctly in a sentence?

Use "less" to indicate a smaller quantity or degree of something that cannot be counted. For example, "I drink "less coffee" now than I used to".

What's the difference between "less" and "fewer"?

"Less" is used for uncountable nouns (e.g., "less water"), while "fewer" is used for countable nouns (e.g., "fewer cars"). It's a common mistake to use them interchangeably, but understanding this distinction ensures correct usage.

What are some alternatives to using the word "less"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "smaller amount", "to a lesser degree", or "not as much".

Is it ever correct to use "less" with plural nouns?

While traditionally "less" is for uncountable nouns and "fewer" for countable plural nouns, "less" is sometimes used informally with plural nouns referring to time, money, or distance. For instance, "less than 10 minutes" is widely accepted, though formally "fewer than 10 minutes" is more correct.