less awesome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less awesome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the level of awesomeness of two or more things, indicating that one is not as awesome as the other. Example: "While the sequel was entertaining, it was definitely less awesome than the original film."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Back on terra firma, though, things were less awesome and more confounding.

The New York Times

Otherwise the conversation will happen later and will be less awesome.

Columbia University

Less awesome for, say, independent film and martial arts, but for Arab Spring?

MIT Technology Review

Patsey fights her own battles and the absence of a happy ending doesn't make her any less awesome.

Independent

There are only two full-time doormen on my door, so when you break it down, it becomes less awesome.

The New York Times

I watch the Bachelor and Q&A and Offspring (even though the latter has come back way less awesome).

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Meant to allow developers to build services that ran over phone lines (like, say, a basic call center), it was sort of like a less-awesome Twilio.

TechCrunch

The idea that food stamps represent a problem — not a small blessing that has made this ongoing economic disaster marginally less awful — represents an awesome combination of ignorance and cruelty.

The New York Times

Less than awesome.

The Guardian - Film

Both are less than awesome.

Harvard Business Review

Anything less than awesome will be considered a failure.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less awesome" when directly comparing the degree of impressiveness between two or more things. Ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared.

Common error

While acceptable, consider substituting "less awesome" with more formal alternatives like "less impressive" or "suboptimal" in professional or academic writing to maintain a suitable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less awesome" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a reduced degree of impressiveness or excitement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a usable phrase, implying a contrast against a higher standard or expectation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

14%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less awesome" is a grammatically correct and commonly used comparative adjective phrase used to indicate a reduced degree of impressiveness or excitement, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While it is generally acceptable, it may be best suited for informal and neutral contexts. When writing in more formal settings, consider swapping the phrase with semantically similar terms like "less impressive" or "suboptimal" to align with formal writing conventions. The frequency of this phrase in news media indicates its broad acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as great

Emphasizes a decline in overall quality or magnitude.

not as impressive

Highlights a reduction in the ability to evoke admiration or respect.

somewhat underwhelming

Conveys a sense of disappointment due to not meeting expectations.

not quite as remarkable

Focuses on the diminished noteworthy aspect compared to something else.

a bit disappointing

Indicates a mild level of dissatisfaction or letdown.

not up to par

Suggests that something fails to meet a required or expected standard.

subpar

Briefly indicates something is below an acceptable or average level.

falls short

Implies failure to reach a desired level or standard.

not as thrilling

Focuses on a decrease in excitement or stimulation.

paler imitation

Suggests something copies something else but without the same vibrancy or quality.

FAQs

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

You can use "less awesome" to describe something that is not as impressive or exciting as something else. For example, "The sequel was entertaining, but the plot was "less awesome" than the original movie".

What's a good substitute for "less awesome"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "not as impressive", "somewhat underwhelming", or "not as great". The best choice will depend on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "less awesome" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "less awesome" might be considered too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using a more sophisticated alternative such as "less impressive" or "suboptimal".

What is the difference between "less awesome" and "not awesome"?

"Less awesome" implies a comparison to something else, suggesting a relative decrease in impressiveness. "Not awesome", on the other hand, simply indicates that something lacks impressiveness without necessarily making a comparison. The former suggests a graded scale, while the latter is a binary assessment.