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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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less election

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less election" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to a situation with fewer elections or a reduced frequency of elections, but it lacks clarity and proper context. Example: "The proposal aims to create a system with less election interference from external parties."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are no formal rules, much less elections; somehow, names just surface in the media to become part of the EU's mysterious internal bargaining system.

The electoral court then declared him ineligible for the presidency.See article: Paraguay's general-less election.

News & Media

The Economist

This reaction has led to a small shift away from the conservative "anti-politics" of the mid-1990s and back towards giving politicians who behave responsibly a little more public respect.Third, and perhaps most important, this is shaping up to be an issue-less election, probably because voters are so satisfied with the economy that no domestic matter seems of compelling significance.

News & Media

The Economist

In countries with higher polity scores, investment tumbles far less during election season.

News & Media

The Economist

Congo held a more or less peaceful election in October 2006, since when the main opposition leader has been hounded into exile.

News & Media

The Economist

Baird told the launch: "For me it's less an election, but is an opportunity … for those who want a stronger economy and more jobs.

News & Media

The Guardian

It is less the election of a new president, the candidates suggest, than a battle for the country's soul.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

Five years earlier, in 1998, I spoke with Gray Davis in his rather less cinematic election night suite at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.

News & Media

Huffington Post

In a less controversial election (2012), teachers told us they believed that they would receive a pushback if they taught about politics and elections.

News & Media

Huffington Post

On Capitol Hill, unfortunately, such concerns matter less than election-year politics and the demands of the National Rifle Association.

News & Media

The New York Times

Aren't these supposed to be hard times, some on the right asked, and not the moment for a more or less standard election-year budget?

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey the idea of fewer elections, utilize the phrase "fewer elections" instead of "less election" to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "less" when referring to countable items like elections. "Less" is appropriate for uncountable nouns. Instead, use "fewer" to accurately describe a smaller quantity of elections. For example, instead of saying "less election activity", consider "fewer election events".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

2.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less election" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not correct and lacks clarity. It attempts to quantify elections using "less", which is typically reserved for uncountable nouns. Instead, "fewer" should be used with countable nouns like elections.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less election" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the phrasing is not standard and may confuse readers. To accurately convey a reduction in elections, it is recommended to use "fewer elections" when referring to number, or ""reduced election frequency"" to refer to time interval between them. While the intended meaning might be understood in informal contexts, using the correct terminology ensures clarity and credibility, especially in formal writing or professional communications. Remembering to use "fewer" with countable nouns will improve your grammatical accuracy.

FAQs

What is the correct way to refer to a smaller number of elections?

The correct phrase is "fewer elections", not "less election". The word "fewer" is used for countable nouns, while "less" is used for uncountable nouns. You can also describe "reduced election frequency".

What can I say instead of "less election" to indicate a decrease in electoral activities?

Instead of "less election", use phrases like "fewer elections", "reduced election frequency", or "decreased election participation" depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it grammatically correct to use "less" before a noun referring to election?

No, it's generally not grammatically correct. "Less" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., less water, less time), while "fewer" is used with countable nouns (e.g., fewer cars, fewer elections). Using "fewer elections" is the grammatically sound option, as elections can be counted. Alternatively you can use a noun phrase such as "reduced election frequency".

How does the phrase "fewer elections" compare to "reduced election spending"?

"Fewer elections" refers to the number of elections being held, indicating a numerical decrease. "Reduced election spending" refers to the amount of money spent on elections, using "reduced" to describe a decrease in an uncountable noun (spending). "Reduced election spending" is the correct option to talk about a decrease in money spent, not "less election spending".

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: