less applies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less applies" is not correct in standard written English.
You might be trying to convey that something is less relevant or applicable in a certain context. Example: "In this case, the previous rule less applies to our current situation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That scouting report more or less applies to Freddy Garcia, whose return to Chicago, where he played parts of five seasons with the White Sox, attracted far less fanfare than the homecomings of Manager Joe Girardi, a former Cub and Cubs fan; the pitching coach Larry Rothschild, who held the same position with the Cubs for nine seasons; and Curtis Granderson, who grew up in the southern suburbs.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"But that is not how it has always been read, still less applied".

The Guardian - Business

If you're willing to drive a company into the ground for less, apply by calling Lehman Brothers at (212) 52127000.

The New York Times

And most of the nation's poor have never had a bank account, much less applied for a loan.

The New York Times

They did so, moreover, without using profanity against a player, much less applying physical humiliation or bigoted insults.

The New York Times - Sports

It is difficult to think of a less applied subject than palaeontology, but China through a mixture of sheer size and geological variety is a happy hunting ground for fossil collectors.

The Economist

With 310 million people who have roots from around the world, leading social scientists would be hard-pressed to identify one American culture, much less apply it to a soccer team.

The New York Times - Sports

However, TSI analysis has been less applied in this domain.

Applied Water Science

Indeed, they seem to be less applied than supervised learning in the domain of context recognition.

Journal of Big Data

However, VAR and VEC models have been less applied to statistically forecast long-term international crude oil prices in current literature.

Petroleum Science

The natural gas used to feed the engine generally is less applying the recommendations, but it is never higher.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, replace "less applies" with alternatives like "is less relevant" or "applies to a lesser extent" to enhance clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "less applies" when you intend to convey that something is not applicable at all. Instead, consider stating that it "does not apply" or "is not applicable."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less applies" functions as an attempt to express diminished relevance or applicability. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically non-standard. More appropriate alternatives include phrases like "is less relevant" or "applies to a lesser extent."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less applies" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Ludwig AI indicates that it is better to use alternative phrases such as "is less relevant", "applies to a lesser extent", or "is not as applicable" to clearly express diminished relevance or applicability. While it might occasionally appear in informal contexts, striving for grammatical correctness and clarity is advisable, particularly in professional or academic settings. The available examples illustrate attempts to use the phrase, but they also highlight the need for more precise and grammatically sound alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is less relevant

Directly indicates a lower degree of relevance.

is not as applicable

Highlights a decreased level of suitability or fitness.

applies to a lesser extent

Emphasizes that the applicability is reduced, not entirely absent.

has reduced application

Focuses on the reduced practical use or implementation.

has diminished relevance

Focuses on the decline in importance or connection.

is less pertinent

Indicates a reduced degree of directness and clarity of relevance.

is of limited relevance

Highlights the constrained scope of relevance.

is scarcely applicable

Suggests a minimal level of applicability.

is marginally relevant

Implies relevance is small.

is hardly applicable

Implies relevance is almost zero.

FAQs

What does "less applies" mean?

The phrase "less applies" is not standard English. It attempts to convey that something is not as relevant or applicable as before. It's better to use phrases like "is less relevant" or "applies to a lesser extent".

Is it grammatically correct to say "less applies"?

No, "less applies" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Use alternatives such as "is less applicable" or "is not as relevant" instead.

What can I use instead of "less applies" in a formal context?

In formal writing, replace "less applies" with phrases like "is less pertinent" or "has diminished relevance" to maintain a professional tone.

How can I rephrase "less applies" to improve clarity?

To improve clarity, try alternatives like "is of limited relevance" or "has reduced application". These options provide a more precise understanding of reduced applicability.