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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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less busy

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"less busy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has fewer people or activities than before; for example, "The office has been less busy since some of the employees took their summer holidays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Retail businesses may need to schedule this when the location is less busy.

Less busy.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Convenient and sometimes less busy than Wegmans.

No less busy is the choreography.

News & Media

The Guardian

One hopes they're less busy now.

Less busy areas are patrolled by car.

News & Media

The New York Times

Pace yourself, take breaks and visit smaller, less busy temples.

News & Media

The Telegraph

"It's less busy than I expected it would be.

Hobbies He claims to be less busy than he seems.

News & Media

The Guardian

He had never known anyone demonstrably less busy.

News & Media

The New Yorker

The screen layout is far less busy now.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing business schedules or events, specify the context in which something is "less busy". This adds clarity. For example, instead of saying "The store is less busy", specify "The store is less busy on weekday mornings".

Common error

Avoid using "less busy" without a clear comparison point. Saying something is "less busy" implies it was busier before, or is busier at other times. Without this context, the statement loses its meaning.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less busy" primarily functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun by indicating a reduced state of activity or occupation. As shown by Ludwig, this construction effectively conveys a relative difference in busyness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less busy" is a versatile and commonly used adjective phrase that indicates a reduction in activity or occupation. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and can be used effectively in various contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, academia, and wiki sources. When using "less busy", it's important to provide a clear comparison point to avoid vagueness. Ludwig examples show various context of usage and semantically similar alternatives such as "quieter", "less hectic", or "more free time" can be used to convey similar meanings depending on the specific nuance you want to emphasize. Overall, "less busy" is a reliable and straightforward way to describe a reduced level of activity.

FAQs

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

You can use "less busy" to describe a time, place, or person that has fewer activities or people than usual. For example, "The library is "less busy" in the mornings", or "I'm "less busy" this week than last week".

What are some alternatives to "less busy"?

Alternatives to "less busy" include "quieter", "more relaxed", or "less hectic", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "less busy" or "fewer busy"?

"Less busy" is the correct phrase. "Less" is used with uncountable nouns and abstract concepts like "busyness", while "fewer" is used with countable nouns. You can also say "not as busy".

What's the difference between "less busy" and "more free time"?

"Less busy" describes a reduction in activity or obligations. "More free time" focuses on an increase in available personal time. While related, they emphasize different aspects of having fewer demands on one's time.

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: