less attentive than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less attentive than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the level of attention given by one subject in relation to another. Example: "In the meeting, she seemed less attentive than her colleagues, often looking at her phone instead of participating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Occupational therapists rated patients as slightly less attentive than did physical therapists.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

It turns out, however, that at least one court, the venerable U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, was less attentive than the rest of us.

Huffington Post

"Once you get to the general election, people who are up for grabs are less attentive than committed partisans," he said.

Los Angeles Times

WH/HanTac rats deviated significantly from the other control groups by being more active and less attentive than the WKY/NHsd and SD/NTac rats.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

They are less attentive in class than they used to be".

The Guardian

Those barn swallows with appealing tail cleavage also tend to be less attentive as fathers than other males, Dr. Barash said.

The New York Times - Science

He may become less attentive to you than normal.

WikiHow

These effects were more pronounced in women, who experienced more fatigue and hostility and were less attentive and happy overall than their male counterparts.

Science Magazine

I previously reported a personal classroom observation that today's students are "more docile, less attentive, and less engaged than those of a decade ago".

Huffington Post

In considering the original television version of Twice, the literary critic Laura Severin, praised the contrasted voices and the use of repetition as an adaptation to a medium where listeners would be less attentive to the words than if they were attending a conventional poetry reading.

Wikipedia

For example, people may be less attentive to time-based than to event-based cues (McDaniel & Einstein, 2000).

British Journal of Health Psychology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two subjects using "less attentive than", ensure that the comparison is clear and specific. For example, "The students were "less attentive than" usual during the afternoon lecture."

Common error

Avoid using "less attentive than" without a clear point of reference. It should be evident what is being compared. A vague statement like "He is "less attentive than"" lacks context and leaves the reader wondering what the comparison is.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less attentive than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It describes a subject's degree of attention relative to another subject or a previous state. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less attentive than" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for comparing levels of attention. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and wide applicability. When using this phrase, ensure the comparison is clear and specific to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "not as attentive as" or "more distracted than" can provide nuanced variations. Found frequently in news, science, and general contexts, "less attentive than" serves as a versatile tool for expressing relative degrees of attentiveness in various forms of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as attentive as

Emphasizes the difference in attention level using a more direct comparison.

more distracted than

Focuses on the aspect of distraction as the cause of reduced attention.

not as focused as

Highlights the lack of focus compared to something else.

less focused than

Direct synonym comparing to something else with more focus.

not as observant as

Emphasizes a lack of awareness of details in comparison.

more preoccupied than

Highlights the state of being mentally occupied with other things.

not as responsive as

Focuses on the reduced reaction or engagement.

less aware than

Highlights the lack of awareness compared to something.

not as mindful as

Suggests a reduced state of present moment awareness.

more absent-minded than

Implies a greater tendency to forgetfulness and inattention.

FAQs

How can I use "less attentive than" in a sentence?

Use "less attentive than" to compare the level of attention between two subjects. For example, "She was "less attentive than" usual during the presentation".

What phrases can I use instead of "less attentive than"?

Alternatives include "not as attentive as", "more distracted than", or "less focused than", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less attentive than"?

Yes, "less attentive than" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure for comparative adjectives in English.

What's the difference between "less attentive than" and "not as attentive as"?

While both phrases are similar, "less attentive than" directly compares two subjects, while "not as attentive as" emphasizes the deficiency in attention relative to a standard.