less discerning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less discerning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that has reduced ability to distinguish between two or more options. For example: After spending a long day at work, I was feeling less discerning when it came to choosing what I wanted for dinner.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

But when the difference is more subtle our taste buds are less discerning.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We lose taste buds, and those that remain shrink; and our tongue and nose become less discerning.

Harvard University

Universities that struggle to recruit students at home have targeted less discerning international students to fill their places.

The Guardian

Little tip: don't bother with Palanga - over the summer months it resembles a less discerning take on Newquay.

The Guardian - Travel

Computerised trading algorithms that scan news stories for words like "explosions" may have proved less discerning and triggered the sell-off.

The Economist

A less imperious but no less discerning critic, Kornei Chukovsky (who was also a famous writer of children's books), esteemed Garnett for her work on Turgenev and Chekhov but not for her Dostoyevsky.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

While most people can detect four of the five basic tastes in food and drink sweet, salty, bitter, and sour the fifth taste, umami (Japanese for "savory") is less commonly discerned.

University of Pennsylvania

I'm grateful to Russell Platt, the classical-music editor here at Goings On About Town (and a terrific composer—I highly recommend the recent recording of his "Autumn Music" for violin and piano), for bringing to my attention an unsuspected intersection of what, in a less-discerning age, would have been deemed high and low culture, respectively (but not respectfully).

The New Yorker

They seem to be less adept at discerning whether those things are also harmful.

The Washington Post

When this happens, the multi-objective algorithm becomes less useful at discerning better populations of solutions.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

Less easy is discerning the difference between what's spontaneous and what's contrived.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less discerning", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is failing to distinguish or discriminate. For example, "less discerning consumers" should imply what these consumers are not discerning about (quality, price, etc.).

Common error

Avoid using "less discerning" as a general negative descriptor. Instead, specify the area where the lack of discernment is evident. For instance, saying someone is "less discerning" without context is vague; clarify by specifying they are "less discerning about the quality of ingredients".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less discerning" functions as a descriptive modifier, typically used to qualify a noun. It indicates a reduced capacity or willingness to distinguish between different options or qualities. Ludwig AI confirms this use is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

18%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less discerning" is a grammatically correct and frequently used descriptor, indicating a reduced ability or willingness to differentiate between options. As Ludwig AI points out, it is suitable for describing entities that do not apply strict standards or make fine distinctions. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academia, its neutral register allows for broad applicability. When using "less discerning", ensure the context clearly specifies the area where discrimination is lacking to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "less discriminating" and "not as selective", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less discriminating

Highlights a reduced ability to make fine distinctions between options.

not as selective

Emphasizes a broader acceptance without careful distinction.

less perceptive

Highlights a decreased awareness or understanding of subtleties.

not so critical

Focuses on a reduced tendency to find fault or judge severely.

less judgmental

Focuses on reduced tendency to form opinions or evaluations.

not as sensitive

Implies a reduced responsiveness to nuances or differences.

not as fastidious

Emphasizes a reduced concern for detail and accuracy.

more tolerant

Suggests a greater willingness to accept varied or lower standards.

easier to please

Indicates a lower threshold for satisfaction.

more accepting

Suggests a greater willingness to embrace something without detailed examination.

FAQs

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

You can use "less discerning" to describe someone or something that shows a reduced ability to distinguish between options. For example: "The algorithm became "less discerning" after the update."

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "less discriminating", "not as selective", or "more accepting".

Is it better to be "less discerning" or "more discerning"?

Neither is inherently better. Being "less discerning" can be beneficial in situations where flexibility and acceptance are valued. However, being "more discerning" is advantageous when attention to detail and quality are crucial.

What does it mean to be "less discerning" about food?

To be "less discerning" about food means you are not particularly critical or selective about what you eat. You might be happy with simple or less high-quality meals, and not pay much attention to subtleties of flavor or presentation.