Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
less complex less
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "less complex less" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It seems to be an incomplete thought or a misphrasing, and it cannot be used effectively without additional context or clarification. Example: "The project became less complex less than I expected."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
12 human-written examples
Would we prefer it to be less complex, less intense?
News & Media
Her mother is a mere mortal: a kinder, less complex, less riveting figure.
News & Media
He found the book's tone "therapized and flat," and said that Ms. Bechdel's mother was "a kinder, less complex, less riveting figure" than her father.
News & Media
I think it's an ethical as well as a literary proposition that anything that aspires to make the world and the people in it less complex, less paradoxical, less multifarious, is a kind of dirty little libel on reality.
News & Media
If he came out as gay, he wouldn't be the moody, difficult figure we've grown to love; and ironically, by declaring himself as happily gay, Batman – as a cultural icon – would actually be less fascinating, less complex, less queer.
News & Media
We tend to consider ourselves exceptionally superior in amongst the faceless masses; we're the stars of our own TV show, and everyone else is a bit part – less complex, less nuanced than ourselves.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
46 human-written examples
Red and white currants, the less tart, less complex and less nutritious siblings, were more popular.
News & Media
In "Shipwreck," less complex and less humanly appealing, it leads to melodramatic disaster.
News & Media
As the years go by, Kristol's prose becomes less supple, less complex, more combative, and less persuasive.
News & Media
But environmentalists say there are now less expensive, less complex ways to reduce such pollution than adding ethanol.
News & Media
Mr. Winterkorn has made this his top priority, and is planning new models that will cater to American tastes by offering less complex and less costly engineering.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When aiming for clarity, avoid redundancy. Instead of "less complex less", choose a single, strong adjective like "simpler" or "easier".
Common error
Do not use repetitive modifiers like "less complex less". This phrasing adds unnecessary words and weakens your message. Aim for conciseness by selecting a single, appropriate descriptor.
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "less complex less" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, although it's grammatically incorrect. Its intended function is to describe something as having a reduced level of complexity, but Ludwig AI indicates that it's an ungrammatical construction.
Frequent in
News & Media
58%
Science
42%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "less complex less" is a grammatically flawed construction intended to convey a comparative reduction in complexity. Although present in various sources like news and scientific articles, its redundancy diminishes its effectiveness. Ludwig AI flags it as not correct. Opt for simpler alternatives like "simpler" or "less complicated" for improved clarity and grammatical accuracy. Avoid using repetitive modifiers like "less complex less" to enhance conciseness and credibility in your writing.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
less complicated
Focuses on reducing complication rather than complexity.
more simple
Emphasizes simplicity as an alternative to complexity.
less intricate
Highlights reducing intricate details.
less elaborate
Focuses on reducing the elaborateness of something.
more straightforward
Suggests increasing directness and ease of understanding.
less sophisticated
Indicates a reduction in sophistication.
less convoluted
Focuses on reducing convoluted or confusing elements.
more streamlined
Emphasizes efficiency and simplicity of design.
less dense
Focuses on reducing density or compactness.
less unwieldy
Highlights reducing clumsiness or difficulty in handling.
FAQs
How to use "less complex less" in a sentence?
While not grammatically sound, "less complex less" sometimes appears where a contrast is being made; however, it's better to rephrase for clarity. For example, instead of "The design is less complex less than I expected", try "The design is simpler than I expected".
What can I say instead of "less complex less"?
Alternatives include "simpler", "easier", "less complicated", or "more straightforward" depending on the context.
Which is correct, "less complex less" or "less complex"?
"Less complex" is grammatically correct. "Less complex less" is redundant and should be avoided in formal writing.
What's the difference between "less complex less" and "less complex"?
"Less complex" indicates a reduction in complexity, while "less complex less" is a redundant expression that doesn't add meaning and should be corrected.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested