less friendly to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less friendly to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or attitude that is not as welcoming or supportive towards someone or something compared to another. Example: "The new policy is less friendly to employees than the previous one, leading to dissatisfaction among the staff."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Inevitably, Fox is less friendly to Tilton than those authors.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Kaczynski, seen by the Kremlin as less friendly to Russia, was not invited.

The New York Times

Arbitration is generally seen as less friendly to plaintiffs than lawsuits in state or federal court.

The New Yorker

Other establishment figures, while less friendly to Israel, would most likely maintain some kind of continuity.

The New York Times

The industry too, he points out, has been less friendly to idiosyncratic work.

The Guardian - Film

The president has historically been less friendly to the channel's news hosts.

The Washington Post

But Bain is entering a market that has become decidedly less friendly to the traditional huge leveraged buyout.

The New York Times

As the social networking companies try to make more money, they may become less friendly to outside developers.

MIT Technology Review

Gun Owners of America, for instance, has decided that Bush is less friendly to guns than many other candidates.

The Washington Post

The retailer Abercrombie & Fitch called off a vote on reincorporating in Ohio amid concerns from investors that the state was less friendly to shareholders.

The New York Times

The shift has pushed home rentals toward a system that critics say would ultimately be more expensive and less friendly to tenants.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less friendly to", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Alternatives like "less supportive of" or "more hostile towards" can provide a more precise meaning depending on the context.

Common error

While "less friendly to" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal contexts can make your writing sound bland. Opt for more precise alternatives like "more critical of" or "less accommodating to" to add depth and clarity to your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less friendly to" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe something that exhibits a reduced level of friendliness or support towards something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Wiki

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less friendly to" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression to describe a diminished level of support or welcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's acceptable for general use, though more precise synonyms might be appropriate in formal contexts. Its prevalence in News & Media sources highlights its neutrality. When writing, consider alternatives like "less supportive of" or "more hostile towards" for greater nuance. Remember that while versatile, overuse in formal settings can make your writing sound less impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less supportive of

Indicates a reduced level of encouragement or assistance.

less favorable to

Suggests a decline in positive regard or preference.

not as receptive to

Highlights a lack of openness or willingness to accept something.

less accommodating to

Focuses on a lack of willingness to make concessions or adjustments.

less well-disposed towards

A more formal way of saying less friendly, indicating a lack of goodwill.

less inclined to

Indicates a reduced tendency or willingness to do something.

more hostile towards

Emphasizes antagonism or opposition rather than simply a lack of friendliness.

not as amenable to

Focuses on a lack of willingness to agree or comply.

more averse to

Implies a stronger feeling of dislike or opposition.

more critical of

Shifts the focus to expressing disapproval or negative judgment.

FAQs

How can I use "less friendly to" in a sentence?

You can use "less friendly to" to describe a situation or attitude that is not as welcoming or supportive compared to another. For example: "The new policy is less friendly to employees than the previous one."

What are some alternatives to "less friendly to"?

You can use alternatives like "less supportive of", "more hostile towards", or "less accommodating to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "less friendly towards" instead of "less friendly to"?

Both "less friendly to" and "less friendly towards" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably, although "less friendly to" is generally more common.

What's the difference between "less friendly to" and "unfriendly to"?

"Less friendly to" suggests a milder form of opposition or lack of support, while "unfriendly to" implies a stronger, more negative stance. Therefore, "unfriendly to" suggests more overt or pronounced opposition than "less friendly to".