less further

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less further" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly when someone intends to convey a reduction in distance or extent, but the correct expression should be "further less" or simply "less." Example: "We need to go less further than we initially planned."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Foreign markets may do better than the United States, in his view, because they are less further along in the upward slope of their economic cycles.

The New York Times

After the split, William headed west to LA to live like a rock star while Jim boozed in Kentish Town for years - quite often with me, before sobering up and heading a little less further west.

The Guardian - Music

Some of the consequences have been long foreseen, like deflation: as more Japanese retire and live off their savings, they spend less, further depressing Japan's anemic levels of domestic consumption.

The New York Times

Britain's Met Office said 95 per cent of the sun was covered in the Hebrides, Orkneys and Shetland Islands, and one per cent less further south in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Independent

Since the maximum wind-speed radius, central pressure differential, latitude of typhoon center and even surface temperature of the ocean during typhoon process affect wind-pressure distribution coefficient β more or less, further study and verification are needed to determine the method for calculating β that gives the best precision for the radial atmospheric pressure distribution of a typhoon.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

These results indicate that, first, the amount of money people spent when making a purchase was less clearly affected by the protests, compared to the change in the number of customers, and the negative effect spread less further away from the event center as well.

EPJ Data Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

He said the fine would cost less than further litigation.

The New York Times

Making the turns less sharp further reduced the complication.

The New York Times - Science

And anyway, as investors have fretted less about further interest rate increases, share prices have recovered.

The Economist

A satellite launched into space, for example, weighs increasingly less the further it travels away from the Earth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All 11 judges put Messi first and seven had Cristiano Ronaldo in second, but there was less certainty further down the list.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "less further" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and grammatically correct alternatives like "not as far" or "a shorter distance" to ensure your writing is precise and easily understood.

Common error

The phrase "less further" mistakenly combines two comparative terms. "Less" and "further" both imply a comparison or degree. Instead, choose one or the other to clearly express the intended meaning, such as "less" to indicate a smaller quantity or "further" to indicate progression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less further" is used to express a reduction in distance, degree, or extent. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this phrasing is grammatically questionable. The primary grammatical function it attempts to serve is that of an adverbial modifier.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "less further" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It attempts to convey a reduction in distance or extent, but clearer alternatives like "not as far" or "a shorter distance" are recommended. Its usage is infrequent and primarily occurs in news and media or scientific contexts. To ensure clarity and grammatical correctness, it's best to avoid using "less further" in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as far

Replaces the original phrase with a more grammatically sound expression indicating a shorter distance.

a shorter distance

Emphasizes the reduction in distance, providing a clear and correct alternative.

closer

Uses a simple adjective to indicate reduced distance.

nearer

Similar to "closer", but can sometimes imply a more significant reduction in distance.

less distance

A slightly more formal alternative, still indicating a smaller distance.

a smaller amount

Shifts the focus to quantity, suitable when "further" refers to abstract progression rather than physical distance.

to a lesser extent

Indicates a reduction in degree or impact, moving away from a strictly spatial meaning.

to a smaller degree

Similar to "to a lesser extent", emphasizing the degree of reduction.

not as much

A general phrase for reduction in quantity or intensity.

to a minimal degree

Emphasizes that the degree of extent is now very small.

FAQs

Is "less further" grammatically correct?

No, "less further" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "not as far" or "a shorter distance".

What are some alternatives to "less further"?

Depending on the context, you can use "not as far", "a shorter distance", "closer", or "nearer" instead of "less further".

When can I use "less further"?

While occasionally used, "less further" is generally discouraged in formal writing. In most contexts, alternatives like "not as far" or "a shorter distance" provide clearer and more grammatically sound options.

What's the difference between "less further" and "further less"?

The phrase "further less" is not standard in English. The intended meaning of reducing distance or extent is better conveyed using alternatives to "less further" such as "not as far" or "to a lesser extent".