less done

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less done" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing the amount of work completed, but it is not commonly used. Example: "With the new approach, we have less done than we anticipated this quarter."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

You can get a lot less done.

The New York Times

That deal is more or less done.

The Guardian - Sport

In my 14 years here, I've never seen less done".

The New York Times

By the time the actual campaign was under way, Hannan's work was more or less done.

The Guardian

Parliament gets a lot less done in modern times than it did when it first started, the group found.

The New York Times

Just 11 percent said they should stick to their positions even if it means getting less done.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Say less, do more.

The New Yorker

It more or less does.

The New York Times

Even less do unpunished lovers feel remorse.

The New Yorker

Still less did it mean idleness.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They more or less did both.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing productivity, use "less done" to indicate a reduction in completed tasks or overall achievement. For example, "Due to the new software, we have less done this quarter."

Common error

While "less done" is generally acceptable, in formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "fewer tasks completed" or "reduced progress" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less done" functions as a comparative, indicating a smaller quantity or degree of completion. It's commonly used to express that fewer tasks or a reduced amount of work has been finalized compared to a previous state or expectation, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less done" is a frequently used comparative phrase that indicates a reduction in completed tasks or overall progress. Ludwig AI classifies it as acceptable but highlights that more precise language may be preferred in formal contexts. It's commonly found in news and general discussions, with some presence in scientific and business writing. Alternatives such as "less completed" or "fewer tasks completed" may offer improved clarity or formality. While generally understood, writers should consider the specific context and audience when using "less done" to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less completed

Emphasizes the reduced amount of work finished.

less accomplished

Highlights the reduced level of achievement.

fewer tasks completed

Focuses on the quantity of tasks brought to completion.

reduced progress

Indicates a slowdown in advancement or development.

smaller amount finished

Stresses the quantity of something brought to an end.

less work finalized

Highlights that work is not brought to completion.

less advanced

Highlights the stage of progress being slowed.

less activity

Focuses on a decrease in activity or action related to completing something.

less finalized

Emphasizes that fewer items reached a final state.

less executed

Highlights the actions taken towards completing tasks.

FAQs

What does "less done" mean?

"Less done" generally indicates that fewer tasks or a smaller amount of work has been completed than expected or compared to a previous time.

What can I say instead of "less done"?

You can use alternatives like "less completed", "fewer tasks completed", or "reduced progress" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less done"?

While acceptable, "less done" isn't always the most elegant phrasing. It's generally understood but might be improved with more specific language in formal contexts.

How do I use "less done" in a sentence?

Use "less done" to compare the amount of work completed. For example: "With the new system, we've achieved less done than before." You could also say "With the new system, we've achieved "less accomplished"".