less apply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less apply" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to convey a reduced application of something, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "We should less apply this method in future projects."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

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

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

When Harvard recently increased financial aid packages, it wanted "to send a really clear message out there to people who would not ordinarily apply to college, much less apply to a school like this," said William R. Fitzsimmons, dean of admissions and financial aid at Harvard College.

The New York Times

Stan Kaatee, a senior adviser to the Dutch prime minister, identified three symptoms of an ailing coalition: a growing volume of leaks to the media, open quarrels between members of the government, and bad opinion poll ratings for one or more of the parties: all conditions that now more or less apply to the Con-Lib coalition.

The Guardian - Opinion

These definitions come from U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook, but because there now is a global marketplace for software specialists, the definitions more or less apply worldwide.

Science Magazine

There are known ways for governments to help create private-sector jobs: spend less, apply lower tax rates on a broad base and legislate more clearly and succinctly in favor of market-based jobs over government jobs.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Business

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

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

Applied Water Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey a reduction in application, use phrases like "apply less" or "reduce application of" for clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Don't use "less apply" in your writing. It's better to restructure the sentence to say "apply less" to maintain grammatical correctness and readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less apply" is grammatically incorrect. The intended function is to express a reduction in the act of applying something. Ludwig AI suggests using "apply less" to convey this meaning accurately.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

50%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less apply" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. While the intention is to express a reduction in application, using phrases like "apply less" or "reduce application of" ensures clarity and correctness. Ludwig AI indicates that the intended meaning is understood, but the phrasing is flawed. It appears infrequently across different contexts, including news, science, and wikis. For clear and effective communication, avoid using "less apply" and opt for grammatically sound alternatives. As "aiResponseStatus" indicates, the phrase is not correct in standard written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce application of

Specifies a decrease in the use or implementation of something.

decrease the use of

Emphasizes diminishing the utilization of a particular resource or method.

limit the application of

Highlights setting boundaries or restrictions on how something is applied.

restrict application

Stresses the imposition of limits or constraints on the application process.

apply to a lesser extent

Focuses on the degree to which something is applied, emphasizing a reduction in intensity or scope.

minimize application

Focuses on reducing application to the smallest possible amount or degree.

curtail the use of

Implies a sharp reduction or restriction in the employment of something.

use sparingly

Suggests using something in small amounts or infrequently to conserve it.

apply in moderation

Highlights the importance of using something with restraint and balance.

reduce the frequency of application

Specifies lessening how often something is applied over a given period.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "less apply"?

Instead of "less apply", use "apply less". This phrasing is grammatically correct and clearer.

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

You can say, "We should apply less pressure during negotiations" or "Try to apply less fertilizer to the soil".

Is "less apply" ever correct in English?

No, "less apply" is not considered correct in standard English. It's better to use "apply less" or other similar phrases.

What does "less apply" mean, and why is it considered incorrect?

"Less apply" is likely intended to mean reducing the application of something. However, the phrasing is awkward and violates standard English grammar. Using "apply less" avoids this issue.