less affordable

USAGE SUMMARY

'less affordable' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that is becoming more expensive or hard to obtain. For example, "As the demand for housing increases, rental units are becoming less affordable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A comparative analysis of the affordability of IBs and LPGs indicates that the former are less affordable than the latter.

BMC Health Services Research

"Housing like that is becoming less affordable.

The Guardian

They have become even less affordable for the poor.

The Economist

For some, this means flying will become less affordable".

The New York Times

Trident is more unnecessary and less affordable now than then.

Independent

That's quicker than it expects average wages to rise, which will make homes less affordable.

Independent

As prices fall, existing mortgages look less affordable and defaults rise.

The Economist

Germany is both greying (which will make its welfare state less affordable) and becoming more colourful.

The Economist

As American cities have grown safer and richer, homes there have become less affordable.

The Economist

The more they fool with it, the less affordable housing will be provided in Connecticut".

The New York Times

Even for insured people, the economy both causes anxiety and makes help less affordable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic trends or policies, use "less affordable" to highlight the impact on different income groups. Be specific about which demographics are affected and to what extent.

Common error

Avoid using "less affordable" without specifying who finds something less affordable. Overgeneralization can lead to inaccurate conclusions and misrepresentation of economic realities.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "less affordable" is to act as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating a lower degree of affordability in comparison to a previous state or another object. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less affordable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative adjective phrase that indicates a decline in affordability. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase serves to communicate that something has become more expensive or financially challenging to obtain. To ensure clear and impactful writing, it's important to specify who is affected and avoid overgeneralizations when using "less affordable". Alternatives like "more expensive" or "increasingly costly" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more expensive

Focuses specifically on the increase in price, a direct component of affordability.

increasingly costly

Highlights the rising nature of the expense, indicating a trend toward decreased affordability.

becoming unattainable

Emphasizes the difficulty in acquiring something due to its cost.

beyond reach

Suggests that something is no longer within the financial capabilities of an individual or group.

prohibitively priced

Indicates that the price is so high as to deter purchase or access.

costing more

A simple and direct way to state that the price is higher, impacting affordability.

financially burdensome

Highlights the strain something puts on one's finances, relating to its affordability.

harder to obtain

Focuses on the difficulty in acquiring something, with financial implications implied.

becoming dearer

Indicates a sentimental or economic increase in value, making something less accessible.

less accessible

Broader than just price, but often related, implying that something is harder to get, including due to cost.

FAQs

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

You can use "less affordable" to describe something that has increased in price or is harder to obtain due to financial constraints. For example, "Due to rising tuition costs, college is becoming "less affordable" for many students."

What are some alternatives to saying "less affordable"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "more expensive", "increasingly costly", or "beyond reach" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less affordable"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Less" is used to form the comparative degree of adjectives, and "affordable" is an adjective. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules.

What factors contribute to something becoming "less affordable"?

Several factors can contribute, including inflation, increased demand, decreased supply, changes in government policies, and economic downturns.