less alarms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less alarms" is not correct in standard written English; it should be "fewer alarms." You can use "fewer alarms" when referring to a countable number of alarms, typically in contexts discussing reducing the number of alarms or notifications.
Example: "To improve our response time, we need to implement a system that generates fewer alarms during non-critical hours."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That is why we have less alarms in this case (compared to Figure 8), in particular at the end of the attacks.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Local prosecutors were less alarmed.

The New Yorker

supervisors, however, were less alarmed.

The New York Times

Other experts were less alarmed.

The New York Times

But that doesn't make them any less alarming.

The New York Times - Arts

The picture across the broader Sahel is no less alarming.

The New York Times

His tax-cut plan has been no less alarming.

The New York Times

At nearby Patty & Bun the decor is less alarming but the queues are no shorter.

The Economist

What patients must face in the examining room is no less alarming.

The New York Times

Back then there was less alarm about, and understanding of, child molestation, he said.

The New York Times

The social chapter was dreamt up in the 1980s, when unemployment was less alarming.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a countable number of alarms, use "fewer alarms" instead of "less alarms" to ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "less" when referring to items that can be counted individually. Always use "fewer" with countable nouns like alarms, incidents, or errors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less alarms" functions as a noun phrase, intending to describe a quantity of alarms. However, Ludwig AI points out that using "less" with a countable noun like "alarms" is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the intention behind the phrase "less alarms" is understandable, it's grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI clarifies, "alarms" is a countable noun and should be paired with "fewer" instead of "less". Authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist sometimes contain the incorrect phrase, highlighting a potential area for improvement in writing. To ensure correctness, use "fewer alarms" or rephrase to "reduced number of alarms". This correction enhances clarity and professionalism in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fewer alarms

Replaces "less" with "fewer" to correct the grammatical error when referring to countable items.

reduced number of alarms

Rephrases to emphasize the numerical reduction in alarms.

decreased alarm frequency

Focuses on the frequency of alarms being lower.

lower alert rate

Shifts the focus to the rate at which alerts are triggered.

less cause for concern

Expresses a state of reduced worry or apprehension.

diminished alarm levels

Highlights the reduction in the intensity or degree of alarms.

fewer false positives

Implies the alarms are more accurate with fewer incorrect triggers.

reduced alert fatigue

Indicates a decrease in the weariness caused by frequent alarms.

quieter notifications

Emphasizes a state where alarms are less frequent and potentially less intrusive.

mitigated warning signals

Indicates that warning signals are reduced or softened in their impact.

FAQs

Should I use "less" or "fewer" with the word "alarms"?

You should use "fewer alarms" because "alarms" is a countable noun. "Less" is used with uncountable nouns.

What's the correct way to refer to a smaller number of alarms?

The correct phrase is "fewer alarms". You can also say "a reduced number of alarms".

Is "less alarms" ever grammatically correct?

No, "less alarms" is not grammatically correct in standard English. Use "fewer alarms" instead.

What can I say instead of "less alarms" to indicate a decrease in the number of alerts?

You can use phrases like "fewer alarms", "reduced number of alerts", or "lower alarm frequency" to convey a similar meaning.