less easy to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less easy to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the ease of two different tasks or situations, indicating that one is not as easy as the other. Example: "This new software is less easy to navigate than the previous version."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Other performances were less easy to explain.

The Economist

Human barometers are less easy to parse.

The New York Times

Banking culture is less easy to fix.

The Guardian - Business

Today, most experts say, crimes are less easy to define, violations less easy to agree on.

The New York Times - Arts

The supreme leader's views, however, are less easy to read.

The Economist

They ought to be less easy to write.

The New York Times - Books

There's a side to Sedaris that's less easy to like.

The Guardian - Books

The truth is more complicated and less easy to televise.

The Guardian

Less easy to talk about is force of personality.

The New York Times - Arts

"Consumers," he argued, "are less and less easy to fool.

The New York Times

It's easy to say this but less easy to achieve.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less easy to", ensure it is followed by a verb in its base form (e.g., "less easy to understand", "less easy to achieve"). This maintains grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Avoid unnecessarily complex sentence structures when using "less easy to". Clarity is key; simpler sentences are often more effective. For instance, instead of saying "It is less easy to ascertain the underlying reasons for...", try "The reasons are less easy to understand."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less easy to" functions as a comparative adjective phrase followed by an infinitive. It describes a diminished degree of ease in performing an action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in comparing the difficulty of different tasks or situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less easy to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that functions as a comparative adjective phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various writing contexts. It communicates that one action or situation presents a greater degree of difficulty compared to another. While it appears across different registers, it is most commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. When writing, remember to follow "less easy to" with a verb in its base form to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as easy to

A slightly more verbose way of expressing the same concept.

more difficult to

Indicates a higher level of difficulty.

harder to

A more direct synonym expressing increased difficulty.

more challenging to

Highlights a higher level of challenge involved.

less straightforward to

Emphasizes reduced directness or simplicity.

less simple to

Highlights a decrease in simplicity.

less comfortable to

Shifts the focus to a lack of comfort or convenience.

less convenient to

Highlights a decrease in convenience.

less accessible to

Focuses on reduced accessibility.

less manageable to

Indicates a reduced ability to manage or control.

FAQs

How can I use "less easy to" in a sentence?

Use "less easy to" when comparing the difficulty of two tasks or situations, indicating that one is more challenging than the other. For instance, "This method is "more difficult to" implement than the previous one".

What are some alternatives to "less easy to"?

You can use phrases like ""more difficult to"", "harder to", or "not as easy to" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "less easier to"?

No, "less easier to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "less easy to" or, alternatively, ""more difficult to"".

What is the difference between "less easy to" and ""more difficult to""?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, ""more difficult to"" might be perceived as slightly stronger in expressing the level of challenge compared to "less easy to", with the later having slightly more nuance.