less different

USAGE SUMMARY

"less different" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare two things that are more similar than different. For example: "Although they come from different countries, their cultures are less different than one might expect."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The analysis revealed significant difference among OA and OA-free cartilage, but less different between hip OA and knee OA.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

The presence of equal amounts of maternally derived transcripts in control and mutant embryos may mask a difference in embryonic transcription, which explains why stc transcript amounts are less different between control and mutant embryos at early embryonic stages.

Aging

It's less different than we'd like to think.

The Guardian - Tech

I needed more time to make him, well, less different.

The New York Times

So to reduce concrete's carbon footprint to near zero or less, different approaches are needed.

The New York Times - Science

Human brains turn out to be less different from other animal brains than you might think.

The New York Times - Books

What emerges from Newton's account is a Britain less different from the continental powers than the traditional view would suggest.

The Guardian - Books

Biological siblings reared together are no more alike, or less different, than biological siblings reared in separate families.

The New Yorker

Our meals were less different than we expected, and each yielded as many standouts as the other.

The New York Times - Travel

If gay culture has been so integrated into the mainstream that it is less different, less edgy, is that a loss?

The New York Times

"In reality, the U.S. and European approaches are less different in effect than they might appear to be on paper," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing items, use "less different" to highlight their similarities, especially when they are often perceived as distinct.

Common error

While grammatically sound, excessive use of "less different" can sound repetitive. Opt for synonyms like "more similar" or "comparable" to add variety and maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less different" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun by indicating a reduced degree of dissimilarity. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

53%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less different" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative adjective phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately conveys a reduced degree of dissimilarity between entities. While versatile, remember to consider context and audience when choosing between "less different" and synonyms like "more similar" to ensure clarity and stylistic variation. With usage spanning from scientific research to news articles, mastering "less different" enhances your writing toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not too different

A casual way of saying the differences aren't significant

quite similar

Highlights a high degree of similarity.

more similar

Indicates a shift from focusing on differences to emphasizing shared qualities.

not as distinct

Emphasizes a reduced level of clarity or definition between items.

somewhat alike

Highlights a degree of resemblance, though not complete similarity.

relatively comparable

Suggests that items can be measured against each other with reasonable accuracy.

bearing resemblance

Focuses on the aspect of resembling each other.

sharing traits

Highlights the common characteristics of items

nearly identical

Highlights the near identical status of items.

closer together

Focuses on items nearing each other and their similarities.

FAQs

How can I use "less different" in a sentence?

You can use "less different" to compare two or more things that have become more alike. For example: "After the reforms, the two systems became "less different" than before."

What's a good alternative to "less different"?

Alternatives include "more similar", "not as distinct", or "quite similar". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "least different" instead of "less different"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct, but they have different meanings. "Less different" compares two things, while "least different" identifies the one that is most similar among a group of three or more.

When should I use "less different" versus "more similar"?

"Less different" emphasizes a reduction in distinctions, whereas "more similar" highlights the increase in shared attributes. The choice depends on whether you want to focus on diminishing differences or growing resemblances.