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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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less complex less

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE 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

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Would we prefer it to be less complex, less intense?

News & Media

The New York Times

Her mother is a mere mortal: a kinder, less complex, less riveting figure.

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

The New York Times

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.

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.

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.

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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

The New York Times

In "Shipwreck," less complex and less humanly appealing, it leads to melodramatic disaster.

As the years go by, Kristol's prose becomes less supple, less complex, more combative, and less persuasive.

News & Media

The New Yorker

But environmentalists say there are now less expensive, less complex ways to reduce such pollution than adding ethanol.

News & Media

The New York Times

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

The New York Times
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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.

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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.

Expression frequency: Common

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.

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.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: