less commitments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less commitments" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form is "fewer commitments," as "commitments" is a countable noun. Example: "I prefer to have fewer commitments this semester so I can focus on my studies."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

14) More living Chasing less material possessions, and having less commitments in our diary we're not passionate about keeping, means we have time to spend on those things and people that matter most.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But, he added: "That doesn't mean there's less commitment, less passion, less love.

The New York Times

"There was a fear that the U.S. would withdraw or have less commitment to Bosnia," he said.

The New York Times

Mr. Trimble said today that he did not suspect Mr. Bush of any less commitment to Northern Ireland.

The New York Times

But anticorruption leaders say they sense less commitment to tackle corruption since the election of President Rupiah Banda.

The New York Times

He added that no government since 2010 had shown less commitment to implementing the terms of its bailout agreement.

The Guardian

In areas outside of terrorism, the Obama administration has demonstrated less commitment to international law and legal institutions than many Europeans expected.

The New York Times

While Rich is searching for a sustainable future for his titles, his US paymasters have shown somewhat less commitment to the long term.

The Guardian

Can Mr. Gore effectively draw in more female supporters who favor controls without further alienating men who have less commitment to this cause?

The New York Times

A Jewish kid requires less commitment up top, but, eventually, you're going to have to write a fat bar- or bat-mitzvah check.

The New Yorker

But I like to experiment with new food, and coupons allow me to try things with less commitment to love them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing countable nouns like "commitments", always use "fewer" instead of "less". For example, say "I want to have fewer commitments this year."

Common error

Avoid using "less" when referring to countable items such as "commitments". The correct term to use is "fewer". Saying "less commitments" is a common grammatical error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase, although grammatically questionable, functions as a quantifier plus a noun. Ludwig AI indicates that the correct form should be "fewer commitments".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

34%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less commitments" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English; the correct form is "fewer commitments" since "commitments" is a countable noun. As Ludwig AI highlights, using "fewer" corrects this error. While occasionally found in online sources, as shown by Ludwig, it's better to use alternatives like "reduced obligations" or "decreased responsibilities" to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity. It is mostly used in News & Media and Science contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fewer commitments

Replaces "less" with "fewer" to correct the grammatical error when referring to countable items.

reduced obligations

Substitutes "commitments" with "obligations" to provide a synonym that implies fewer responsibilities.

fewer responsibilities

Corrects the grammar by using "fewer" with the countable noun "responsibilities".

decreased responsibilities

Emphasizes a reduction in the scope of duties or tasks.

fewer engagements

Replaces "commitments" with "engagements" to denote a reduction in scheduled activities.

lighter workload

Focuses on the amount of work required, implying fewer commitments.

smaller workload

Directly suggests a decrease in the tasks or responsibilities at hand.

reduced involvement

Suggests a decrease in participation or engagement in various activities.

reduced schedule

Highlights a decrease in the number of scheduled events or tasks.

less involvement

Indicates a lower degree of participation, using the grammatically correct "less" for an abstract concept.

FAQs

Should I use "less" or "fewer" with commitments?

Use "fewer commitments". "Fewer" is for countable nouns, while "less" is for uncountable nouns. Therefore, the grammatically correct option is "fewer commitments".

What's a better way to say "less commitments"?

Instead of "less commitments", use phrases like "fewer obligations", "reduced responsibilities", or "lighter workload". These alternatives are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings.

Is "less responsibilities" correct, and what are the alternatives?

No, "less responsibilities" is incorrect. The correct form is "fewer responsibilities". Alternatives include phrases like "decreased responsibilities" or "reduced involvement".

How can I reduce my commitments?

To reduce your commitments, consider strategies such as prioritizing tasks, delegating responsibilities, or simply saying no to new obligations. Aim for "fewer engagements" to achieve a "reduced schedule".