less good than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'less good than' is correct and can be used in written English.
It's often used to make comparisons between two or more things. For example: 'This cake is less good than my mom's cakes.'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The consequence is less good than he had imagined.

The Economist

Are women less good than men at solidarity?

Independent

Yet support for English nurses appeared to be less good than for Swedish nurses.

International Journal of Nursing Studies

He recently tried a L'Or capsule and found the taste "a little less good" than Nespresso.

The New York Times

Her English, she says apologetically, is much less good than her Welsh.

The Economist

But most of the state schools are still much less good than their private equivalents.

The Economist

"That will be less good than what one had before, but not awful".

The New York Times - Tech

The cases aren't symmetric – this deficit will do much less good than austerity did harm.

The New York Times

"I know people who are young, and they are less good than people who are older," he said.

The New York Times

Beneath their superstar reputations, many of the Englishmen turned out to be less good than others at passing the football.

The Economist

Most of them are slightly more risqué, and rather less good, than the cartoons screened on television.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two options, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. Instead of simply stating "X is "less good than" Y", specify the criteria for comparison (e.g. "X is "less good than" Y in terms of fuel efficiency").

Common error

Avoid using "less good than" without specifying the aspect being compared. Saying "The movie was "less good than" expected" is vague. Instead, state specifically what made it "less good", such as "The acting was "less good than" in the trailer."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less good than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to indicate that one thing is inferior to another in terms of quality, performance, or some other measurable attribute. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for various types of writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

22%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less good than" is a grammatically correct and commonly used comparative phrase that effectively expresses inferiority. According to Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for use in various contexts. It's particularly frequent in news and media, as well as scientific and academic writing. When using this phrase, clarity is key; specifying the aspect being compared ensures effective communication. Alternatives such as "not as good as" or "inferior to" can provide variety, but the specific context determines the most suitable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as good as

Simple rephrasing using "not as" structure.

inferior to

Uses a more formal single-word adjective for 'less good'.

worse than

Replaces "good" with its direct antonym "worse".

not up to par with

Idiomatic expression indicating a failure to meet a certain standard.

of a lower quality than

More descriptive and formal way of expressing inferiority.

substandard compared to

Highlights the failure to meet required quality standards.

second-rate relative to

Emphasizes the lower rank or status compared to something else.

deficient in comparison to

Focuses on the lack of certain qualities when compared.

lacking the merits of

Highlights the absence of positive attributes.

falls short of

Indicates a failure to achieve a desired level or standard.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "less good than"?

You can use alternatives like "not as good as", "inferior to", or "worse than" depending on the context.

How can I use "less good than" in a sentence?

The phrase "less good than" is used to compare two things, indicating that one is of a lower quality or standard. For example: "This coffee is "less good than" the one I had yesterday".

Which is correct, "less good than" or "not as good as"?

Both "less good than" and "not as good as" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably, although "not as good as" might sound more natural in some contexts.

What's the difference between "less good than" and "worse than"?

While both phrases indicate inferiority, "worse than" implies a greater degree of negativity. "Less good than" simply suggests that something isn't as positive or effective, while "worse than" indicates a more significant decline in quality or condition.