less favorites

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less favorites" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly when trying to express a preference for fewer items or options among favorites. Example: "Out of all the movies I've seen, these are my less favorites, but I still enjoyed them."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Anecdotally, I've noticed that dozens of retweets (much less favorites) of a link do not necessarily translate to traffic to a particular page.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

There may be one less favorite for the men's title at the world championships in London.

The New York Times

That would be impossible today — his name and bespectacled image have become so omnipresent here that were he to make his ritual morning stroll through downtown he might conclude that his status is less favorite son than only son.

The New York Times

However, the less favorite (selected for only one or two provinces) models including Rohwer, Papadakis, Mahringer, Brockamp Wenner, Trabert, and Ivanov estimate reference crop evapotranspiration with R 2 more than 0.94.

Applied Water Science

Put your favorite pictures on pages by themselves and mix your less favorite pictures on the other pages.

WikiHow

Make a two column list of your important or favorite ideas and skills and your less favorite ideas and memories, people and events -- and you'll see how and why you became the person who reached where you are today.

WikiHow

Although the article suggests showing a little cleavage as a way to keep the focus "up top" rather than on your less favorite parts, this tip refers to wearing skimpy tops and bottoms, such as a spaghetti strap shirt or a micro mini, especially if it is tight.

WikiHow

Most eukaryotic cells, including many yeasts and humans, can sense the availability of carbon sources in their surroundings and, in the presence of their favorite sugar (often glucose), trigger a cascade of signals that will repress the utilization of less-favorite sugars as well as the function of different catabolic routes [ 3- 5].

BMC Systems Biology

Plenty of my less famous favorites are also unavailable: Line2, Hipmunk, Nest, Word Lens, iStopMotion, Glee, Ocarina, Songify This.

The New York Times - Tech

The editors' choices range from high-profile personalities (Barack Obama, Brad Pitt and beyond) to less familiar favorites like dad blogger Jason Mayo and father/daughter photographer extraordinaire Dave Engledow.

Huffington Post

Sergio García took his shot a little later during his own news conference when he was asked if Woods's gimpy knee made him less a favorite than he normally would be.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a countable number of favorites, use "fewer" instead of "less". For example, say "I have fewer favorites this year".

Common error

Avoid using "less" when referring to countable nouns like "favorites". "Less" is for uncountable nouns (e.g., "less water"), whereas "fewer" is for countable nouns (e.g., "fewer apples"). Always use "fewer favorites" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less favorites" functions as a noun phrase, although it is grammatically incorrect. It attempts to express a reduced quantity of preferred items. As Ludwig AI points out, standard English usage favors the term "fewer" with countable nouns like "favorites".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "less favorites" might be understood in informal contexts, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct alternative is "fewer favorites", as "favorites" is a countable noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, standard English usage requires "fewer" in this context. Although some examples can be found in various sources, including news and media, the phrase's incorrectness makes it unsuitable for formal or professional communication. Remember to use "fewer favorites" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. Also, bear in mind that the phrase is rare, with only a few examples spread across news, wiki and science domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fewer favorites

Replaces "less" with "fewer" to correctly quantify countable items (favorites).

least favorite

Changes the focus to the single item that is liked the "least" instead of multiple.

not as popular choices

Indicates items that are not as commonly liked or preferred.

less preferred options

Highlights choices that are not favored as much as others.

lower ranked selections

Emphasizes a ranking system where certain options are lower in preference.

items I like less

Shifts the focus to a personal perspective of liking something less.

choices I don't prefer

Expresses a lack of preference for certain choices.

items I enjoy less

Indicates a reduced level of enjoyment for certain items.

lesser known favorites

Implies favorites that are not as widely recognized or popular.

smaller list of favorites

Describes a reduced or limited selection of favorites.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "less favorites"?

No, it's grammatically incorrect. You should use "fewer favorites" instead, because "favorites" is a countable noun.

What's the difference between "less favorites" and "least favorite"?

"Less favorites" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. "Least favorite" refers to a single item that you like the least, whereas the correct form, "fewer favorites", would refer to having a smaller number of items that you favor.

How can I use "fewer favorites" in a sentence?

You can say, "I have fewer favorites this year because I've discovered new interests" or "There are fewer favorites on this album compared to their previous releases".

What are some alternatives to saying "less favorites"?

Instead of "less favorites", you can use "fewer favorites", "not as popular choices", or "less preferred options" depending on the specific context.