less adept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less adept" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is not as skilled or proficient at something as others. For example, "The students at the new school were less adept at math than the students at the old school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They are much less adept at negotiation and compromise.

The New York Times

She was even less adept at child rearing.

The New York Times - Books

George W. Bush was less adept at this than Reagan.

The New Yorker

But Bangladesh's army is less adept at political meddling than Pakistan's.

The Economist

But she is less adept at setting expectations and directing her office staff.

The New York Times

Such listening experiences make less adept readings all the more disappointing.

The New York Times - Books

This may well be true, but suggests a president less adept at image-management.

The Economist

He is less adept as a writer, and "The Gun" is full of infelicitous phrases.

The New York Times

(Zach, less adept at programming, contributes to the game by brainstorming ideas).

The New York Times - Magazine

Unlike Jeremy, Jonathan talks, but he's less adept at heading off overwhelming emotions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

In addition, many worried that if they wore helmets, less-adept skiers and snowboarders might do likewise, feel invulnerable and engage in riskier behavior on the slopes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing skills, follow "less adept" with a prepositional phrase indicating the specific area of deficiency, such as "less adept at problem-solving" or "less adept in social situations."

Common error

Avoid using "less adept" without specifying what the subject is inadequate at. For example, instead of saying "He is less adept", specify "He is less adept at public speaking" to provide context and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less adept" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun possesses a lower degree of skill or proficiency compared to another entity or standard. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less adept" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a comparative lack of skill or proficiency. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in written English. It's most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts, maintaining a neutral register. When employing "less adept", ensure you specify the area of deficiency for clarity. Alternatives like "not as skilled" or "lacking in skill" can provide nuanced variations. Remember to specify the skill that someone is "less adept" in order to avoid confusion. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is a valuable tool for expressing relative competence in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as skilled

Replaces "adept" with "skilled", a more common synonym, slightly reducing the formality.

not quite as proficient

Substitutes "adept" with "proficient" and adds "quite as" for emphasis, softening the statement.

less capable

Offers a more general term for lacking ability or skill.

lacking in skill

Emphasizes the absence of skill rather than a lower level of skill.

not very competent

Uses "competent" as an alternative to "adept", indicating a general lack of ability.

relatively unskilled

Adds "relatively" to indicate a comparison to others, and replaces "adept" with "unskilled".

somewhat inexperienced

Focuses on a lack of experience as the reason for being "less adept".

deficient in ability

Highlights a deficit in overall ability, making it a stronger statement.

not particularly talented

Suggests a lack of natural talent rather than acquired skill.

weaker in expertise

Specifies a weakness in expertise, implying a lack of specialized knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "less adept" in a sentence?

You can use "less adept" to compare someone's skill level in a particular area. For example, "She is "less adept" at coding than her colleague".

What are some alternatives to using "less adept"?

Alternatives to "less adept" include "not as skilled", "not quite as proficient", or "lacking in skill". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "less adept" or "least adept"?

"Less adept" is used for comparing two subjects, while "least adept" is used when comparing three or more. For example, "He is "less adept" than his brother, but the least adept in his entire class".

What's the difference between "less adept" and "inexperienced"?

"Less adept" implies a comparison of skill level, while "inexperienced" focuses on a lack of exposure or practice. Someone can be "less adept" due to a lack of natural talent, while someone is inexperienced due to a lack of practice. They may even be "less adept" due to their inexperience.