less able to

USAGE SUMMARY

"less able to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to someone or something that is not as capable of doing something as someone or something else. For example: "With the new regulations in place, small businesses are less able to compete with larger companies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It would be... less able to cope".

The Guardian

Women also appear less able to repair genetic damage.

The New York Times

But women are often less able to uproot themselves.

The New York Times

Individuals may be less able to defend themselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

The aggressive flies seem less able to recognize others' boundaries.

The New York Times - Science

I'm getting less able to cope with high heels".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"As the months passed, I became less able to think".

The New York Times - Arts

Parents were less and less able to pay.

The New York Times

He is less able to project authority than his predecessors were — and perhaps less able to keep relations between the world's two largest economies from becoming more adversarial.

The New York Times

After that, muscles become resistant to insulin and much less able to absorb glucose.

The New York Times - Sports

And donors are, more or less, able to direct their financing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less able to", ensure the context clearly specifies the action or task the subject is less capable of performing. For example, instead of just saying "They are less able", specify, "They are "less able to" compete in the market because of the new regulations".

Common error

Avoid using "less able to" without providing specific context. Saying "The company is "less able to"" is vague. Clarify what the company is "less able to" do, such as "The company is "less able to" innovate due to budget cuts".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less able to" functions as a modifier indicating a diminished capacity or capability. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and in common use. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use to describe reduced ability to cope, repair damage, or perform specific tasks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less able to" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase to express a reduced capacity or capability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, from news reports to scientific articles. It’s important to provide clear context when using this phrase to specify what the subject is "less able to" do. While alternatives like "less capable of" or "not as able to" exist, "less able to" remains a versatile and clear choice for expressing diminished ability. Remember to avoid overgeneralization and ensure the sentence clearly defines the limitation being described. The phrase appears most frequently in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less capable of

Replaces "able" with "capable", maintaining the core meaning of reduced ability but offering a slight variation in word choice.

less equipped to

Suggests a lack of resources or tools necessary to perform the action, implying a practical limitation.

less competent to

Focuses on a deficiency in the required skills or knowledge, highlighting a lack of proficiency.

less skilled at

Emphasizes a lack of expertise or dexterity in performing a specific task.

less proficient in

Similar to "less skilled at", but often used in more formal contexts, highlighting a lack of formal training or experience.

not as good at

A more informal way of expressing reduced ability, suitable for casual conversation.

struggle to

Indicates difficulty or effort required to perform an action, implying a lower level of ease or efficiency.

find it harder to

Highlights the subjective experience of difficulty in performing an action, emphasizing the perceived challenge.

have difficulty in

Similar to "find it harder to", but slightly more formal, focusing on the challenges encountered.

impaired ability to

Indicates that capacity is damaged or weakened. Usually used in a medical or technical context.

FAQs

How can I use "less able to" in a sentence?

Use "less able to" to indicate a reduced capacity or capability to perform an action. For example: "Due to budget cuts, the department is now "less able to" provide adequate support."

What are some alternatives to using "less able to"?

You can use alternatives such as "less capable of", "less equipped to", or "less competent to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "not as able to" instead of "less able to"?

Yes, "not as able to" is a grammatically correct and semantically similar alternative to "less able to". It is generally considered more informal but perfectly acceptable. For example: "The older model is "not as able to" handle the new software."

What's the difference between "less able to" and "unable to"?

"Less able to" indicates a reduced capacity, while "unable to" implies a complete lack of ability. "Less able to" suggests difficulty or reduced effectiveness, whereas "unable to" suggests impossibility. For example: "They are "less able to" compete due to their size" versus "They are "unable to" compete because the market is closed to them".