less contend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less contend" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an attempt to express a concept related to reducing conflict or competition, but it is not a recognized expression. Example: "In order to foster a better working environment, we should aim to less contend with each other."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But current investment is a low benchmark, the authors argue, and inadequate to close the development gap between rich countries and poor ones, much less contend with climate change as a multiplier.

The New York Times

But there was no reason to think a book of his would ever be noticed in English-speaking countries, much less contend for an international prize.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In this way, we will not miss highly contended operations enclosed by reordering blocks with many less contended operations.

Data Science and Engineering

This is because properly reordered highly contended operations will not wait for long time and thus are always categorized as less contended operations.

Data Science and Engineering

RTW for Less contends a neutrality pact is a thing of value.

Huffington Post

Because the court is sunken, there is less wind and less noise to contend with.

The New York Times - Sports

In his The More Of Less, Becker contends that excess consumption leads to bigger houses, faster cars, and cluttered homes, but it does not lead to happiness.

HuffPost

On the other hand, Soderbergh has a very specific proposal in mind, a practical recommendation for the studios to foster the cinema; it's a brilliant idea, though one that, I think, is better suited to an independent producer who has less corporate structure and less overhead to contend with than do studios: In my view, in this business which is totally talent-driven, it's about horses, not races.

The New Yorker

Off-season visitors not only save money, but they have less competition for restaurant reservations and parking spots — and far less traffic to contend with on Route 27, notorious for its summer backups.

The New York Times - Travel

B of A will pay less to be saved, but that can be explained by the fact there is less panic to contend with this time.

The New York Times

"There are less opinions to contend with," Captain Ferguson said, drawing some laughs.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "less contend". It is not grammatically correct in standard English. Instead, opt for more established phrases like "reduce conflict" or "minimize competition".

Common error

Do not assume that "less" can be directly followed by a verb like "contend". "Less" typically modifies nouns. Instead, rephrase your sentence to use "less" with a noun, such as "less conflict", or use a different verb altogether, such as "reduce" or "minimize".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less contend" functions as a verb phrase, but it's grammatically incorrect. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, standard English does not support this direct usage. The intention seems to be about reducing conflict, but the phrasing is flawed.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less contend" is grammatically incorrect and not recognized in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, it appears to attempt expressing the reduction of conflict or competition. Despite its appearance in sources like The New York Times and Forbes, it's crucial to use grammatically sound alternatives such as "reduce conflict" or "minimize competition". When writing, ensure clarity and accuracy by avoiding this non-standard phrase and opting for more established expressions to convey your intended meaning effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce conflict

Focuses on diminishing disagreements or disputes.

minimize competition

Emphasizes lowering the level of rivalry or contention.

decrease contention

Directly addresses lowering the level of argument or disagreement.

mitigate discord

Highlights reducing disharmony or lack of agreement.

lessen strife

Addresses reducing conflict or bitter disagreement.

alleviate tension

Focuses on easing strain or pressure in a situation.

soften opposition

Suggests making resistance or disagreement less intense.

temper disputes

Implies moderating disagreements or arguments.

defuse conflict

Suggests neutralizing or resolving a tense situation.

reduce friction

Focuses on lowering the level of antagonism or conflict.

FAQs

What does "less contention" mean?

"Less contention" refers to a state where there is reduced conflict, disagreement, or rivalry. It implies a decrease in arguments or disputes. For alternative phrases to reduce conflict, see: "reduce conflict", "minimize competition".

Is it grammatically correct to say "less contend"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing would involve using "less" with a noun, or restructuring the sentence with a more appropriate verb like "reduce" or "minimize". For example, you could say "reduce conflict" or "decrease contention".

What are some alternatives to "less contend"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "reduce conflict", "minimize competition", "lessen strife", or "alleviate tension", depending on the specific context you intend to convey.

How can I avoid using "less contend" in my writing?

Focus on using accurate phrasings. Instead of saying "less contend", identify the specific element you want to reduce and use "less" with that noun (e.g., "less conflict", "less competition"). Or, rephrase the sentence with verbs like "reduce", "minimize", or "alleviate".