less favourable than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less favourable than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two or more options, indicating that one option is not as advantageous or beneficial as another. Example: "The new policy is less favourable than the previous one, leading to dissatisfaction among employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The context now is immeasurably less favourable than then.

The Guardian

Redwood said: "The breakdown now looks a bit less favourable than before.

The Guardian - Business

But the political winds are even less favourable than in 2010.

The Guardian

Where the N form was important the effects of oxidised N were less favourable than those of reduced N.

Applied Geochemistry

In those cases, the AM is less favourable than MvK since the adsorption of N2 molecule is endothermic.

Catalysis Today

It added that growth conditions were less favourable than expected, especially in Asia and the Americas, but said it hoped for further progress in 2015.

The Guardian - Business

The overall equilibrium constant of the hydration reaction of the butenes in the liquid phase is considerably less favourable than in the corresponding hydration of propene.

Chemical Engineering Science

2003: Labour agrees to a statutory code guaranteeing wages "no less favourable" than in the public sector for new staff hired by public services contractors, as well as those transferred under Tupe.

The Guardian

Peons had even less recourse to the law for bad treatment than did indentured servants, and the terms of manumission for the former typically were less favourable than for the latter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The M3+ state for gallium, indium, and thallium is energetically less favourable than Al3+ because the high ionization energies of these three elements cannot always be balanced by the crystal energies of possible reaction products.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Support for the market economy among Venezuelan respondents has also surged.The poll also suggests that Mr Chávez's image in the region is much less favourable than that of many other leaders, and especially than that of Barack Obama (chart 6).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less favourable than", ensure that the comparison is clear and that the context provides enough information for the reader to understand what is being compared and why it is less favourable. Provide specific details to support your comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "less favourable than" without clearly stating what is being compared. For example, instead of saying "The conditions were less favourable than expected", specify "The weather conditions were less favourable than expected for optimal crop growth."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less favourable than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to indicate that one thing is not as advantageous or desirable as another. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a grammatically sound expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less favourable than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative expression. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English. It serves to indicate that one thing is not as advantageous or desirable as another, often in neutral to formal contexts such as science, news, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "not as advantageous as" and "inferior to" exist, "less favourable than" provides a nuanced way to express comparison without necessarily implying a strongly negative connotation. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in your comparison to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as advantageous as

Emphasizes the lack of advantage compared to something else.

not as beneficial as

Highlights the reduced benefits relative to another option.

not as desirable as

Focuses on the reduced level of desirability.

not as positive as

Indicates a lower degree of positivity in comparison.

inferior to

Directly states the lower quality or position.

worse than

Expresses a negative comparison.

at a disadvantage compared to

Highlights the state of being less favorably positioned.

not as good as

A simple and direct comparison of quality.

less optimal than

Focuses on the lack of optimal conditions or results.

subpar compared to

Indicates performance below the expected standard.

FAQs

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

You can use "less favourable than" to compare two options, indicating one is not as advantageous. For example, "The new contract terms are "less favourable than" the previous ones."

What are some alternatives to "less favourable than"?

Some alternatives include "not as advantageous as", "not as beneficial as", or /s/inferior+to depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "less favorable than"?

"Less favorable than" is the American English spelling. Both "favourable" and "favorable" are acceptable, but ensure consistency within your writing. In British English is common to use the British English spelling "less favourable than".

What's the difference between "less favourable than" and /s/worse+than?

"Less favourable than" is often used in formal contexts to indicate something is not as advantageous, while "worse than" implies a more negative and potentially severe difference. Choose /s/worse+than when you want to highlight how bad the second option is compared to the first.