less dispute

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less dispute" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when referring to a situation where there is a reduced amount of disagreement or contention, but it is more natural to use "fewer disputes." Example: "The new policy has led to less dispute among team members regarding project responsibilities."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

There is less dispute about the pair of bloody attacks that rocked Kashgar 12 days later.

The New York Times

Ball boys are not supposed to speak, much less dispute calls.

The New York Times

There has been less dispute about the victories business groups have recently enjoyed in other areas of the law.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Less disputed is the social, environmental and economic legacy.

The Guardian

"There are less disputes among Iraqi politicians," said Mr. Kadim, the security guard.

The New York Times

Yet his controversial political legacy, of which the Cultural Revolution is just one example, is growing more, not less, disputed, with time.

The New York Times

Ms. Huntington, an executive recruiter who lives on the Upper East Side, is quick to defend Cook's claims and to point to his less disputed achievements.

The New York Times

There was less disputing the penalty Probert awarded to the Cherries just after the half-hour mark when Cathcart felled Wilson inside the box.

BBC

Less disputed is the size of the disenfranchised felon population.

Huffington Post

On a national level, the association between racism and Trump is less disputed.

Huffington Post

Another, less disputed (but also not as intensively investigated) change in suicide seasonality relates to the location of the peak in the annual cycle.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for "fewer disputes" instead of "less dispute" when referring to a countable number of disagreements. This aligns with standard English grammar and improves clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "less" when you mean "fewer" with countable nouns. For example, it's more accurate to say "fewer disputes arose" rather than "less dispute arose."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less dispute" functions as a quantifier followed by a noun. It indicates a reduction in the amount or occurrence of disagreement. Ludwig suggests that this phrase is not commonly used and may sound awkward, though examples from news sources demonstrate its occasional usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less dispute" is used to indicate a reduction in disagreement or conflict, but it is not the most common or natural way to express this idea. Ludwig AI's analysis suggests it can sound awkward, and it is generally preferable to use alternatives like "fewer disputes" or "reduced disagreement". While it does appear in reputable news sources, using "fewer" with countable nouns is more grammatically standard. Overall, while understandable, "less dispute" should be used with caution, especially in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fewer disputes

Replaces "less" (for uncountable nouns) with "fewer" (for countable nouns) making it grammatically conventional and more direct.

reduced disagreement

Focuses on the decrease in disagreement rather than the act of disputing, offering a more formal tone.

less contention

Similar to "reduced disagreement", but emphasizes the reduction of argumentative assertion.

minimal contention

Emphasizes a lack of argument or strife, suggesting a state of relative harmony.

decreased conflict

Highlights the reduction in active conflict, suitable for situations involving ongoing tension.

limited controversy

Indicates that the topic or issue is not generating much public debate or disagreement.

diminished conflict

Emphasizes the waning of conflict, portraying a reduction in intensity.

lower incidence of disagreement

A more formal and statistical way to express a decrease in the occurrence of disagreements.

reduced friction

Suggests a smoother relationship or interaction with fewer points of conflict or resistance.

mitigated disputes

Highlights that conflicts have been resolved and their negative effects decreased.

FAQs

What's the difference between "less dispute" and "fewer disputes"?

"Less" is generally used with uncountable nouns, while "fewer" is used with countable nouns. Since disputes are countable, "fewer disputes" is grammatically preferable.

How can I rephrase "less dispute" for a formal context?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "reduced disagreement", "minimal contention", or "decreased conflict".

Is "less dispute" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "less dispute" can sound awkward to native English speakers. Using "fewer disputes" is generally considered more grammatically sound and natural.

What are some situations where I might use "less dispute"?

You might use "less dispute" in informal conversation. However, in formal writing or professional settings, it's advisable to use alternatives like "fewer disputes" or "reduced conflict" for clarity and grammatical correctness.