less egregious than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less egregious than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the severity or offensiveness of two actions or situations, indicating that one is not as bad as the other. Example: "While both actions were inappropriate, his behavior was less egregious than hers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Levels of executive pay are far less egregious than in America.

The Economist

Even if everything that is alleged is true, this is less egregious than Clinton.

The New York Times

However, some Israel supporters said they considered CNN's American network to be somewhat less egregious than CNN International.

The New York Times

These rates are less egregious than those charged by other providers to many hospital patients, who are similarly unable to shop around.

The Economist

It is far less egregious than, say, its distant Brooklyn cousin, "2 Broke Girls," which may have a more diverse cast but paints its minority characters (the diner boss, Han, and the cashier, Earl) with awful, gauche strokes.

The New York Times

On a much lighter note, feel free to join in the widespread cackling over Derek Jeter's winning a Gold Glove award at shortstop, which is slightly less egregious than Johnny Knoxville winning an Oscar for "Jackass 3D".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"It certainly looks like less egregious behavior than it did before, if he's to be believed," Tobias said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think law licenses have been taken away from lawyers for less egregious offenses than what President Clinton committed as president of the United States".

The New York Times

Mr. Ryan's record on gay rights is no less egregious.

The New York Times

"A violation doesn't become less egregious because it's gone on a long time".

The New York Times

The swelling controversy has exposed other less egregious but still troubling outside activities by Justice Scalia.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "less egregious than", ensure that you clearly define what makes both items 'egregious' to begin with. This provides context and strengthens your comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "less egregious than" in very informal contexts; it might sound overly pretentious. Simpler alternatives like "not as bad as" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less egregious than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to qualify a noun by comparing its degree of offensiveness or severity relative to something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively indicates that something is not as bad as something else.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less egregious than" serves as a comparative tool to indicate that something is not as offensive or severe as something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While "egregious" is a relatively formal word, the phrase is commonly used in contexts that call for a degree of objectivity, such as news and analytical writing. If a less formal tone is desired, alternatives like "not as bad as" or "not as serious as" might be more appropriate. It is important to provide clear context for what makes the items being compared 'egregious' in the first place to strengthen the comparison.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as bad as

Replaces "egregious" with a simpler synonym for "bad".

less serious than

Substitutes "egregious" with "serious", focusing on the gravity of the situation.

not as offensive as

Emphasizes the offensive nature of the actions being compared.

less reprehensible than

Replaces "egregious" with another formal synonym, "reprehensible".

paler in comparison to

Uses a metaphorical comparison based on color to suggest a lesser degree of wrongdoing.

outweighed by

Indicates the first item is lighter, less significant, or less extreme than the second.

pales in comparison to

Uses imagery to convey that one thing is of lesser importance or severity than another.

minor compared to

Simplifies the comparison by using the word "minor".

not quite as awful as

Uses informal language to make the comparison.

bears no comparison to

Focuses on how there's no way to compare, meaning first item is irrelevant compared to the second.

FAQs

How can I use "less egregious than" in a sentence?

Use "less egregious than" to compare two actions or events, indicating that one is not as offensive or severe as the other. For example, "His mistake was "less egregious than" hers, but still required correction."

What is a less formal alternative to "less egregious than"?

If you're writing in a casual style, consider using phrases like "not as bad as" or "not as serious as" instead of "less egregious than".

What is the difference between "less egregious than" and "more egregious than"?

"Less egregious than" indicates something is less offensive, while "more egregious than" indicates something is more offensive. The choice depends on the direction of the comparison you want to make.

Is it correct to say "no less egregious than"?

Yes, "no less egregious than" is correct. It means that the two things being compared are equally offensive or severe. It's often used for emphasis.