less diligent than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less diligent than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the level of diligence between two subjects, indicating that one is not as diligent as the other. Example: "In her studies, she was less diligent than her classmates, often missing deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This is generally assumed to favour Labour, whose core supporters are less diligent than those of the Tories or Liberal Democrats in turning out at every opportunity.

The Guardian

Nor do the Browns think they are being less diligent than they were in their hunt for dead birds.The only strike against the Browns' hypothesis is that the number of detected road kills is small compared with the size of the swallow population.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The problem is that companies are often less diligent in securing these virtual machines than they are with physical ones.

Forbes

The Justice Department must be no less diligent in pressing these claims and should not settle for anything less than what the gulf coast, its battered environment and its residents need to address the long-term consequences of this disaster.

The New York Times

There are indications that all this may do more for citizens' confidence than it does for crime: that property criminals, being mostly opportunists, will merely move to a place where potential victims are less diligent.

The Economist

The internet means that research can be subjected to unofficial, but no less diligent, scrutiny in a matter of days.

The Economist

Similarly, smokers may be getting less diligent about throwing away butts while outside.

Vice

They're less diligent about removing the listing once it is sold.

Huffington Post

If you only have one computer you can be less diligent here.

WikiHow

But even in Ms. Laurans' class his work was less than diligent.

The New York Times

Critics say the administration has been less than diligent in seeking public comment for this change as required by law.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less diligent than", ensure you are making a clear comparison between two subjects. This helps to emphasize the difference in their level of effort or attention.

Common error

Avoid using "less diligent than" without specifying what the subject is being compared to. For example, instead of saying "He was less diligent", specify "He was "less diligent than" his peers in completing the project."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less diligent than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It directly compares the level of diligence between two subjects, indicating that one possesses a lower degree of diligence compared to the other. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less diligent than" is a grammatically correct comparative phrase used to indicate that one subject is not as diligent as another. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While relatively rare, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure a clear comparison is made to enhance clarity. Alternatives like "not as meticulous as" or "more lax than" can be used to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as meticulous as

Focuses on the lack of attention to detail; highlights the difference in precision.

more lax than

Emphasizes a more relaxed or lenient approach compared to another party.

not as thorough as

Highlights a lack of completeness or exhaustiveness in comparison.

more careless than

Suggests a lack of caution or attention, implying a higher risk of errors.

less attentive than

Indicates a lower level of focus or observation compared to another person or thing.

not as conscientious as

Highlights the diminished sense of duty and moral principles.

more negligent than

Implies a failure to take proper care in doing something.

less painstaking than

Focuses on the lack of effort to avoid mistakes.

not as scrupulous as

Highlights the diminished level of moral or ethical consideration.

more remiss than

Indicates a neglect of duty or responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "less diligent than" in a sentence?

You can use "less diligent than" to compare the effort or care taken by two entities. For instance, "She was "less diligent than" her sister in preparing for the exam".

What's the difference between "less diligent than" and "not as diligent as"?

While both phrases are similar, "less diligent than" directly compares two subjects, whereas "not as diligent as" emphasizes the deficiency in one subject compared to another. They are largely interchangeable, but "less diligent than" might sound slightly more formal.

Are there synonyms for "less diligent than" that I can use?

Yes, you can use phrases like "not as meticulous as", "more lax than", or "not as thorough as" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to use "less diligent than"?

Yes, "less diligent than" is grammatically correct and follows standard English grammar rules for comparative adjectives. It's used to compare the degree of diligence between two subjects.