less grave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less grave" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, issue, or condition that is not as serious or severe as another. Example: "The situation is less grave than we initially thought, allowing us to take a more measured approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

By contrast the case against Rousseff seems less grave.

The Guardian

Clearly, this is a far less grave situation.

The New York Times

But such difficulties and divisions might be less grave than an outright defeat.

The Economist

Fixing previous, less grave fiscal messes required a mixture of the two.

The Economist

Today, the situation is less grave than it was in September, 2008, but it's fundamentally similar.

The New Yorker

Maybe while he's in the city he'll learn some new, less grave ways to tell off a man.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

The government's mixed efforts to help those affected by the sentencia to seek citizenship have made their situation perhaps less pressingly grave than some observers had feared, but everyone of Haitian descent is under some threat.

The New Yorker

The government's mixed efforts to help those affected by the sentencia_ _to seek citizenship have made their situation perhaps less pressingly grave than some observers had feared, but everyone of Haitian descent is under some threat.

The New Yorker

Mr Paxton attacked his opponent, Dan Branch, for having proposed in 2005 an amendment to an amendment that would have made a pending abortion law slightly less stringent a grave offence.

The Economist

Ordinary citizens were cremated or buried in less elaborate graves.

Independent

Emerson's less-modest grave is set off a bit farther.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less grave" when comparing two situations or potential outcomes, emphasizing that one is not as serious as the other. For instance, "The economic downturn was less grave than predicted, leading to a quicker recovery."

Common error

Avoid using "less grave" when describing a single, isolated situation without comparison. Instead of saying "The situation is less grave", provide a comparison or context: "The situation is less grave than it was last month."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less grave" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a reduced level of seriousness or severity. This aligns with Ludwig AI's observation that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less grave" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to compare the severity of situations, indicating that one is not as serious as another. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is generally correct. Predominantly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral register, suitable for various contexts. Related phrases include "not as serious" and "less severe". When writing, use it for comparative assessments and avoid absolute statements. Top sources include The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist, reflecting its widespread acceptance in reputable publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as serious

Emphasizes the reduced level of seriousness directly.

not as critical

Highlights that the situation is not at a crisis point.

less severe

Focuses on the diminished intensity of the situation.

milder

Suggests a gentler or more moderate form of the situation.

not as acute

Indicates the situation is not as sharply intense.

less intense

Highlights a reduction in the strength or degree of the situation.

of less consequence

Suggests that the situation has a reduced level of importance.

not as pressing

Emphasizes a reduced sense of urgency.

less worrisome

Focuses on the decreased level of anxiety or concern.

less alarming

Highlights a reduction in the degree of fear or panic.

FAQs

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

Use "less grave" to compare the severity of two situations, implying one is not as serious as the other. Example: "The injury was "less grave" than initially feared, allowing the athlete to return to training sooner."

What's a synonym for "less grave"?

Alternatives to "less grave" include "not as serious", "less severe", or "milder", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "least grave" instead of "less grave"?

While both are grammatically correct, "least grave" implies the absolute minimum level of seriousness among multiple options. "Less grave" is used for comparing two specific situations. For example, "This issue is the least grave of all our problems" versus "This issue is less grave than the budget deficit."

What is the difference between "less grave" and "not serious"?

"Less grave" is a comparative phrase, indicating a situation is not as serious as another. "Not serious" simply states that a situation is not serious without making a direct comparison. The choice depends on whether you need to contrast the situation with something else.