less for the time being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less for the time being" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a temporary reduction or decrease in something for the present moment. Example: "We will be focusing on fewer projects, less for the time being, to ensure quality over quantity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Japan's economy is expected to level off more or less for the time being.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But manufacturers seem less affected, for the time being.

The New York Times

Despite the promising rhetoric, the Saudi foreign minister said Obama's reassurances over the deal were "one less problem, for the time being, to deal with" in relation to Iran.

Independent

Or was it a brutal, savage, sickening, hate-crime murder?" To Jaka, whether or not the killing was a hate crime is less important for the time being than the support his organization can offer to members of the community who are grieving.

The New Yorker

That may make Live Studio less appealing for the time being, if you're looking for a more fully-featured Live Photo editor.

TechCrunch

"Now we have one less problem for the time being to deal with, with regards to Iran," al-Jubeir said.

Vice

"The advice that was given was more about getting their house in order and less on productions for the time being".

The New York Times

First of all, it would involve more, not less, government spending for the time being — with mass unemployment and incredibly low borrowing costs, we should be rebuilding our schools, our roads, our water systems and more.

The New York Times

You want the relationship to be like it was before, so don't change anything about how you act (unless, of course, you normally act very flirty, in which case you should tone it down and be less touchy-feely for the time being).

WikiHow

The "least dangerous" branch as Alexander Hamilton famously and really, really wrongly called the judiciary is a little less dangerous, at least for the time being, thanks to the five members of the mighty Mount Holly, New Jersey, Township Council.

The New Yorker

By Jeff Shesol December 4, 2013 The "least dangerous" branch — as Alexander Hamilton famously and really, really wrongly called the judiciary — is a little less dangerous, at least for the time being, thanks to the five members of the mighty Mount Holly, New Jersey, Township Council.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less for the time being" to clearly indicate that a reduction or decrease is not permanent. This helps avoid misunderstandings about long-term intentions.

Common error

Avoid using "less for the time being" if the reduction is intended to be permanent. Choose language that reflects a lasting change to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less for the time being" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to indicate a temporary state of reduction or decrease. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less for the time being" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a temporary reduction or decrease. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use. It appears in diverse contexts, notably in news and media, science, and wiki sources, maintaining a neutral register. For alternatives, consider "temporarily reduced" or "reduced for now". Remember to use it accurately to avoid assumptions of permanence and ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

temporarily reduced

Focuses on the temporary aspect of the reduction.

reduced for now

Emphasizes the present moment and a decrease.

temporarily lower

Emphasizes the diminished level for a limited period.

decreased in the short term

Highlights the limited duration of the decrease.

for the interim, diminished

Uses more formal language to convey a temporary decrease.

momentarily less

Stresses the brief duration of the reduced state.

for the present, lessened

Focuses on the current state of being lessened

provisionally decreased

Suggests that the decrease is subject to change.

less in the intervening period

Highlights the reduction during a specific interval.

reduced on a temporary basis

Formal and emphasizes the limited time frame.

FAQs

How can I use "less for the time being" in a sentence?

You can use "less for the time being" to indicate a temporary decrease or reduction, as in, "We will focus on fewer projects, "less for the time being", to ensure quality over quantity."

What can I say instead of "less for the time being"?

Alternatives include "temporarily reduced", "reduced for now", or "decreased in the short term" depending on the specific context.

Is "less for the time being" grammatically correct?

Yes, "less for the time being" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express a temporary decrease or reduction.

What's the difference between "less for the time being" and "temporarily less"?

"Less for the time being" implies a contextual reduction that might not be directly quantifiable, while "temporarily less" more directly indicates a measurable decrease. The former can also cover intangible concepts (e.g., less effort) while the latter typically applies to concrete items.