less easily

USAGE SUMMARY

"less easily" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are comparing two things in terms of their difficulty or ease. For example, "The exam was less easily for the students than they had expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Some despots should sleep less easily.

The Economist

Fourth place is less easily predicted.

The New York Times - Sports

Colin is less easily understood.

The New York Times

Other differences are less easily measured.

The New York Times

Maybe women generally are less easily satisfied".

The Guardian - Film

Talking comes less easily to the cast.

The New York Times

Tofu steaks are less easily mistaken.

The Guardian - Opinion

For nonfood products, legislation is less easily devised and far less easily enforced.

Britannica

The diversions offered by other devices are less easily disguised.

The New York Times - Tech

Three years on, we're less easily fooled by the Wiimote.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mares and geldings were preferred over less-easily managed stallions.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two actions or situations, ensure the contrast is clear. For example, "Solving the first problem was easy, but the second was "less easily" addressed".

Common error

Avoid using "less easily" when a simple negative adverb like "not easily" suffices. Overusing the comparative form can make your writing sound convoluted when a direct statement is more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less easily" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the manner in which an action is performed or a state is experienced. It signifies a comparative degree of difficulty, suggesting that something is more challenging than something else. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less easily" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express a comparative degree of difficulty. It's considered grammatically correct and suitable for diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal writing, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While "less easily" is frequently employed, writers should be mindful of alternative phrasing for clarity. Consider "not as easily", "with more difficulty", or "harder to" depending on the desired nuance. Avoiding overuse and ensuring clear comparisons will strengthen your writing when using the phrase "less easily".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not quite so easily

Adds a degree of uncertainty to the comparison of ease.

not as easily

Emphasizes a contrast in ease between two situations.

harder to

Simplifies the expression to a more direct comparison of difficulty.

with more difficulty

Focuses on the increased level of effort required.

not without difficulty

Indicates that some level of difficulty is involved.

more challenging to

Highlights the increased level of difficulty.

with greater effort

Emphasizes the need for increased exertion.

not so readily

Replaces "easily" with "readily", indicating a reduced willingness or speed.

to a more limited extent

Focuses on a reduction in the degree or scope of ease.

in a more complex manner

Highlights the increased complexity involved.

FAQs

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

Use "less easily" when comparing the difficulty of two actions or states. For instance, "While some concepts are straightforward, others are "less easily" understood".

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

Depending on the context, consider alternatives such as "with more difficulty", "not as easily", or "harder to".

Is it correct to say "less easier" instead of "less easily"?

No, "less easier" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "less easily" or, alternatively, "not as easily".

What's the difference between "less easily" and "not easily"?

"Less easily" implies a comparison, indicating that something is more difficult than something else. "Not easily" simply states that something is difficult, without direct comparison.