less formation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less formation" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing a reduction in the amount or complexity of formation, but it is not commonly used. Example: "The new policy aims for less formation of unnecessary committees to streamline decision-making."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

With Shockey gone, their base offense will most likely include new fullback Mike Tolbert, which could mean a little less formation flexibility.

The New York Times

Furthermore, using this method leads to less formation damage due to the incompatibility of injecting fluid and formation brine, and less formation damage due to the bioplugging.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Less competitive reaction between polyhydroxyurethane and PHPS occurred, which lead to the less formation of Si-O-C bond.

Polymer

The synthesis of the high-quality bio-QDs was attributed to the less formation of Se(0) and the increased formation of CdSe and CdS.

Biochemical Engineering Journal

This indicates that the samples have good quality of IL and large dielectric constant, which attribute to the less formation of La-hydroxide and La-silicate.

Nanoscale Research Letters

This is probably because of less formation of magnetic grains in the −20-cm level samples due to the insufficient baking as discussed in above.

Earth, Planets and Space

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Like Spain's goal against Italy in their opening game, it was also an expression of what Del Bosque seeks with a striker-less formation.

The Guardian - Sport

JS The world and European champions were the hot favourites to become the first side to win three successive major international tournaments, although David Villa's broken leg and Fernando Torres's dramatic loss of form forced Vicente del Bosque to experiment with a striker-less formation and Spain's group was tough.

The Guardian - Sport

Their manager, Francesco Guidolin, abandoned his striker-less formation at half-time and the game was a personal ordeal for Ashley Williams given his level of culpability in the first goal, presenting Mahrez with the ball from a lazy pass out of his own penalty area.

The Guardian - Sport

Pre-operative testosterone use in hypospadias surgery is known to increase penile dimensions and vascularity, which should facilitate tension-less formation of the urethral tube and tissue healing.

Journal of Pediatric Urology

In Lithuania itself, at Hampden against those pesky Czechs and a dastardly referee in a match which should still have been won and in Prague where Craig Levein raised eyebrows and lowered hopes with a striker-less formation.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less formation", ensure the context is clear by specifying what is forming and why its reduction is significant. For example, "The treatment resulted in less scar formation."

Common error

Avoid using "less" when "fewer" is more appropriate. "Less" is for uncountable nouns; if you can count the items being formed, use "fewer". Example: "fewer committees" instead of "less committees".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less formation" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "less" modifies the uncountable noun "formation". It denotes a reduction in the amount or degree of something being formed. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is acceptable but can sometimes benefit from more specific wording.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less formation" is generally acceptable for describing a reduction in the creation or development of something, appearing most frequently in scientific and news contexts. However, it's essential to ensure the context is appropriate and consider if a more precise term would enhance clarity. Remember to use "less" with uncountable nouns and consider more specific synonyms when needed. While Ludwig indicates the phrase is acceptable, always aim for precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less creation

A direct synonym, mirroring the structure of the original phrase.

reduced formation

Emphasizes the act of making something smaller or less.

decreased creation

Focuses on the act of bringing something into existence being reduced.

diminished generation

Highlights a decrease in the production or origination of something.

lower development

Focuses on a decline in the process of growth or advancement.

reduced incidence

Indicates a lower rate of occurrence or appearance.

less development

Uses "development" to suggest that growth is reduced.

mitigated formation

Emphasizes that the negative effects of formation are reduced.

alleviated production

Stresses the relief of the effects of production.

constrained evolution

Indicates that growth has been checked or limited.

FAQs

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

Use "less formation" to describe a reduction in the creation or development of something. For example, "The new process leads to "reduced formation" of byproducts."

What are some alternatives to "less formation"?

Consider using alternatives like "reduced creation", "decreased generation", or "mitigated development" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "less formation"?

Yes, "less formation" is generally acceptable, especially when referring to something uncountable. However, ensure the context is appropriate and consider if a more precise term like "lower development" would be better.

How does "less formation" differ from "fewer formations"?

"Less formation" refers to a reduction in the process or act of forming something, typically uncountable. "Fewer formations" would refer to a smaller number of distinct instances of something being formed, where each instance is countable.