less elemental

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less elemental" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not as fundamental or basic as another thing, often in a comparative context. Example: "The new design is less elemental than the previous version, incorporating more complex features and aesthetics."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The Popovics flies -- no less spare, no less elemental -- give the lie to this misconception.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Ross's photographs hint at a less elemental source of destruction, too.

The New York Times

Live, these same minimalist movements (rendered in the same shifting wardrobe) feel less elemental and more performative.

The New York Times - Arts

"Eine Erinnerung für das Vergessen," a 2006 work based on the Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish's "Memory for Forgetfulness," is scarcely less elemental.

The New York Times - Arts

A less heated planet may have evolved differently, with less elemental recycling, or with some other kind of chemical makeup, and, perhaps, a very different environment for the growth of the complex carbon chemistry that led to living things.

The New Yorker

Compared to a calcium acetate tablet of 660 mg (corresponding to 167 mg elemental calcium), OsvaRen® as a combination preparation contains 35% less elemental calcium.

Health Economics Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

For Spence, these performances at the Met are no less an elemental experience.

The Guardian - Music

The cytosolic mercuric reductase MerA reduces Hg2+ to less toxic elemental mercury [9].

Plosone

Picolos et al. reported eight patients taking 2000 mg or less of elemental calcium/day for an unspecified period when diagnosed with milk-alkali syndrome.

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

A key example is mercury resistance in bacteria conferred by the mer operon, which encodes a suite of proteins that carry out the transport and reduction of Hg2+ to transform this toxic ion into less toxic, elemental Hg.

Biochemistry

Subjects on ferric citrate received less intravenous elemental iron (median = 12.95 mg/week ferric citrate; 26.88 mg/week active control; P < 0.001) and less erythropoietin-stimulating agent (median epoetin-equivalent units per week: 5306 units/week ferric citrate; 6951 units/week active control; P = 0.04).

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two concepts, use "less elemental" to emphasize that one is not as fundamental or basic as the other. For example, "Modern architecture is often less elemental than classical designs, incorporating a wider range of materials and styles."

Common error

Avoid using "less elemental" when you simply mean "smaller" or "fewer". "Elemental" refers to basic or fundamental components, not quantity. For example, it's incorrect to say "This recipe uses less elemental ingredients" if you mean fewer ingredients.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less elemental" primarily functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating a lower degree of basic or fundamental quality compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and appears in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less elemental" is grammatically correct, although not very common. Ludwig AI’s analysis of various sources indicates that it’s primarily used to compare the degree to which something is basic or fundamental, relative to something else. While appropriate for formal and neutral registers, its use is most frequently observed in scientific and news contexts. When employing this phrase, remember that it refers to the essential components of something, not its quantity or size. Alternatives like "less fundamental" or "more complex" can be used depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less fundamental

Focuses on the reduction of a base or foundational quality.

less basic

Indicates a decrease in simplicity or essential characteristics.

less rudimentary

Emphasizes a move away from a primitive or undeveloped state.

less primary

Highlights a shift from core or principal components.

less essential

Indicates a reduction in the importance or necessity of something.

less simple

Suggests a move away from straightforwardness or lack of complexity.

more complex

Represents the opposite, an increase in complexity.

more advanced

Denotes a progression to a higher level of development or sophistication.

less initial

Indicates something is not happening at the beginning.

less original

Suggests a move away from what is new or unique.

FAQs

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

You can use "less elemental" to compare how fundamental or basic something is relative to something else. For instance, "The modern interpretation of the myth is "less elemental" than the original, adding layers of psychological complexity".

What are some alternatives to "less elemental"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "less fundamental", "less basic", or "more complex" to convey a similar meaning.

What does it mean when something is described as "less elemental"?

It means that it is not as reduced to its basic or essential components as something else. It often implies added complexity or modification from a more fundamental state.

Is it appropriate to use "less elemental" in formal writing?

Yes, "less elemental" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing abstract concepts or making comparisons in academic or technical contexts. However, ensure the context clearly warrants the use of this specific phrase.