less dreadful than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less dreadful than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare the level of dreadfulness of two or more things, indicating that one is not as bad as the other. Example: "The weather today is less dreadful than it was yesterday, making it more pleasant for a walk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The death of a volunteer soldier is less dreadful than the death of a conscript; the death of either perhaps less dreadful than that of a civilian who had the misfortune to live in a strategically important town.

The Guardian - Opinion

Though, when new arrivals to the great outdoors in wildest Cumbria tackled the obstacles, they found they were less dreadful than they feared.

The Guardian

Aside from ceaseless war in the Middle East and countless refugees engulfing the Greek islands in the Aegean, nothing of any significance happened in 2015 to make the future any less dreadful than the present.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

For once, the economy is in less dreadful shape than usual.

The Economist

If it is possible to make judgments at all about how people die, then the death of a bomb disposal expert is a less dreadful thing than the death of a child, or a civilian mother, who walks on to the same landmine by accident.

The Guardian - Opinion

None of which makes the experience any less dreadful.

The Economist

Such a death seems less dreadful, all of a sudden.

The Guardian

Both Gorbachev and de Klerk began as reformers — that is, politicians devoted to making a dreadful system less dreadful, not to actually abolishing it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Few things are more dreadful than dealing with airline customer service.

TechCrunch

Review: A&E's 'Damien' is more dreadful than demonic.

Los Angeles Times

Unfortunate Events have been more dreadful than the last.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less dreadful than" to provide nuanced comparisons, specifically when discussing scenarios where some level of dread exists in both situations being compared. This adds a layer of sophistication to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "less dreadful than" in situations where 'dreadful' is an overstatement. For instance, comparing two slightly inconvenient events with this phrase can sound overly dramatic and out of touch.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less dreadful than" serves as a comparative adjective phrase. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and used to compare the relative intensity of something considered dreadful. The phrase functions to establish a distinction between two undesirable scenarios, highlighting which is the preferable option.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less dreadful than" is a grammatically correct and usable comparative phrase, according to Ludwig, which is employed to contrast two unfavorable scenarios, indicating that one is comparatively better. Predominantly found in "News & Media" contexts, it serves to provide a nuanced evaluation of situations involving dread or aversion. While the phrase is valid, it is relatively rare. When using "less dreadful than", it's important to ensure it's applied to situations where a significant degree of dread is appropriate, as overuse in trivial contexts can diminish its impact. Remember that, while this phrase is valid, consider alternatives like "not as terrible as" or "more bearable than" to adjust the intensity and nuance of your comparison.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as terrible as

Focuses on the intensity of terribleness, rather than dread.

not as frightening as

Emphasizes the aspect of fear over general unpleasantness.

more bearable than

Highlights the ability to endure something compared to something else.

not quite so awful as

Uses a more informal tone, softening the intensity.

not nearly as bad as

Emphasizes the degree of difference in severity.

easier to stomach than

Uses a metaphorical approach to indicate something is more acceptable.

palatable in comparison to

Suggests something is agreeable when compared to something else.

not as alarming as

Specifically targets the feeling of alarm or concern.

a welcome improvement over

Highlights the positive change from a worse state.

preferable to

Simply states a preference of one thing over another, focusing on choice.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "less dreadful than" in a sentence?

Employ "less dreadful than" to compare two undesirable situations, emphasizing that one is comparatively better or easier to bear. For instance, "The wait at the DMV was "less dreadful than" expected, thanks to the comfortable seating."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "less dreadful than"?

Consider using alternatives such as "not as terrible as", "more bearable than", or "not as frightening as" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "less dreadful than" grammatically correct?

Yes, "less dreadful than" is a grammatically sound comparative phrase. It correctly uses "less" to indicate a smaller degree of dreadfulness when comparing two things.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "less dreadful than"?

Avoid using "less dreadful than" when describing trivial or mildly inconvenient situations. The phrase carries a strong connotation of fear or aversion, making it unsuitable for scenarios that are only slightly bothersome.