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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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less clearer

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less clearer" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would be "less clear." Example: "The explanation became less clear after the additional details were added."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Regions surrounding the central object have a less clearer representation on the retina.

That some relation be a relation of determining correspondence is central to McTaggart's argument; unfortunately, what it is to be a relation of determining correspondence is one of the less clearer bits of McTaggart's metaphysics.

Science

SEP

The graphs and charts would be much less clearer if done in black and white.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Apply Lip gloss Lipsticks are less clearer and metallic than this.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

That is less clear.

News & Media

The New York Times

Less clear is why.

His destination is less clear.

That answer was less clear.

News & Media

The New York Times

How much is less clear.

News & Media

The New York Times

Now, things are less clear.

News & Media

The Economist

"Syria and Iran are less clear.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "less clearer" in formal writing. Instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "less clear", "not as clear", or "more confusing".

Common error

Be cautious of using double comparatives. "Clearer" is already a comparative adjective. Adding "less" creates a grammatically incorrect construction. Always use "less + positive adjective" or "comparative adjective", but never both.

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less clearer" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, although it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies it as a non-standard formation. Instead, it is used to try and express a lower degree of clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less clearer" is a grammatically incorrect construction, flagged by Ludwig AI. It attempts to express a lower degree of clarity but falls short due to the double comparative. The correct and preferred alternative is ""less clear"". While examples can be found in various sources, including news and media, adhering to standard grammar is essential for clear and effective communication. Remember to avoid double comparatives and choose grammatically sound alternatives for a polished and professional writing style.

FAQs

Is "less clearer" grammatically correct?

No, "less clearer" is grammatically incorrect. "Clearer" is already a comparative adjective, so adding "less" creates a double comparative. The correct form is "less clear".

What can I say instead of "less clearer"?

You can use alternatives like "less clear", "not as clear", or "more confusing" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "less clearer" or "less clear"?

"Less clear" is the correct form. "Less clearer" is a double comparative and grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "less clearer" and "more clear"?

"Less clearer" is grammatically incorrect. While "more clear" is technically grammatically sound, it's less common and idiomatic than "clearer" or "more obvious". Avoid "less clearer" altogether.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: