less funny

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less funny" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to compare the level of humor in different situations or things. Example: "I thought the first joke was hilarious, but the second one was less funny." This sentence compares the level of humor in two jokes, implying that the first one was funnier than the second. Another example: "The comedy show last night was good, but the skit about the dentist was less funny than the one about the teacher." In this sentence, the speaker is comparing the two skits, stating that the one about the teacher was funnier than the one about the dentist. In both examples, "less funny" is used to express a lower level of humor in comparison to something else.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Only way less funny.

The Guardian - Film

Which was less funny.

The New York Times - Arts

"And that they'd find it less funny".

The New York Times - Arts

25 You're less funny than I am.

The Guardian

It's much less funny than it sounds.

The Guardian - Film

I and it have become less funny.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's actually somehow less funny than it sounds.

The New York Times

Much less funny than the previous OSS 117 film.

Independent

There's nothing less funny than someone trying to be funny.

Independent

Now I am older, it seems less funny.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Running jokes only get funnier or less funny.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the humor of two distinct things, use "less funny than" to ensure clarity. For example, "The sequel was less funny than the original movie."

Common error

Avoid using "less funny" when you simply mean "not funny". "Less funny" implies a comparison, so ensure you're actually contrasting the level of humor with something else.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less funny" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that something possesses a lower degree of humor compared to something else. Ludwig examples demonstrate this comparative usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less funny" is a common and grammatically sound comparative adjective phrase, used to express that something isn't as humorous as something else. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in News & Media contexts. It's crucial to use "less funny" when a comparison is intended, avoiding its use as an absolute statement. While alternatives like "not as funny" or "less amusing" exist, "less funny" remains a versatile and widely accepted choice for expressing a reduction in humor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as funny

Emphasizes a comparison in humor, indicating the subject is not as humorous as something else.

not so funny

Similar to "not as funny", but can also imply mild disapproval or sarcasm.

less amusing

Replaces "funny" with "amusing", focusing on the entertainment aspect.

not particularly funny

Highlights a lack of humor in a more emphatic way.

somewhat humorous

Indicates a slight degree of humor, but ultimately not very funny.

unfunny

A direct way of saying something isn't funny.

not hilarious

Specifies that something doesn't reach the level of being hilarious.

less comical

Replaces "funny" with "comical", focusing on the element of comedy.

not a laughing matter

Implies a serious situation that should not be treated lightly or humorously.

less entertaining

Shifts the focus from humor to general entertainment value.

FAQs

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

"Less funny" is used to compare the degree of humor between two things. For example, "The second joke was "less funny" than the first."

What's a good alternative to "less funny"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "not as funny", "less amusing", or "not particularly funny".

Is it grammatically correct to say "less funny"?

Yes, "less funny" is grammatically correct. It's a comparative adjective phrase used to indicate a lower degree of humor.

When should I use "less funny" vs. "least funny"?

Use "less funny" when comparing two things. Use "least funny" when comparing three or more things, indicating the one with the lowest level of humor.