less grave than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less grave than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the seriousness or severity of two situations or issues, indicating that one is not as serious as the other. Example: "The situation is less grave than we initially thought, and we can manage it with some adjustments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

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

The Economist

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

The New Yorker

The court convicted him of "hostile acts," a charge less grave than the original charge that prosecutors pressed.

The New York Times

But on Tuesday, its Supreme Court convicted him of "hostile acts," a charge less grave than the original, the North said.

The New York Times

Although the notion of DeKalb County as a full-fledged homeland might sound grandiose, county officials here consider their responsibilities no less grave than the president's.

The New York Times

The danger of terrorism was, he declared, "no less grave" than that posed by the Soviet Union during the cold war.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Snodgrass has been too rigorous in selecting his "Selected," a far less grave shortcoming than being too lax, but a shortcoming all the same.

The New York Times - Books

To understand this notion, begin with the familiar legal facts that attempted murder is a different and less grave offence than murder, and that dangerous driving typically does not attract the same legal penalty if no one is actually hurt.

SEP

Cranston's switch from studying criminal justice to pursuing an acting career was motivated by considerations of a far less grave variety than Walter White's devolution.

Huffington Post

But the current governor, Rick Scott, is a Republican not known for leniency with prisoners, even a model prisoner convicted of crimes less grave and violent than the brutal one he brought to light.

The New Yorker

Then on a variety of fronts – from the ambitious graphic novel or history Maus, which uses the language of comics to speak of no less grave a theme than the Holocaust, to the scabrous reinvention of the Beano that is Viz – comics suddenly became OK for adults.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less grave than", ensure that both elements being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The financial implications are less grave than the potential environmental damage."

Common error

Avoid using "less grave than" when comparing elements that are already insignificant. It's more effective to use it when contrasting two potentially serious situations where one is demonstrably less severe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less grave than" functions as a comparative, specifically used to indicate that one situation or event is of a lower degree of seriousness or consequence compared to another. It aligns with Ludwig's analysis which identifies it as grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less grave than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative phrase that serves to downplay the severity of a situation relative to another. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts, primarily within news and media, and scientific domains. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure clarity in the comparison to avoid ambiguity and to use it appropriately when contrasting potentially serious situations. As Ludwig AI suggests, related alternatives include ""not as serious as"" and ""less severe than"", offering flexibility in expression while maintaining semantic accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as serious as

Emphasizes the difference in seriousness between two situations.

not as critical as

Focuses on the critical nature of one situation compared to another.

less severe than

Highlights the reduced severity of a situation.

milder compared to

Suggests a gentler or more moderate nature.

not as acute as

Points out a lower level of intensity or sharpness.

lighter than

Implies a reduced burden or impact.

not as pressing as

Indicates a lower level of urgency or importance.

not as alarming as

Downplays the level of concern or fear associated with a situation.

easier to manage than

Focuses on the manageability of a situation compared to another.

more manageable than

Highlights the easier handling of a particular matter.

FAQs

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

Use "less grave than" to compare the severity of two situations, indicating one is not as serious. For example, "The error was "less grave than" initially feared, requiring only minor adjustments."

What are some alternatives to "less grave than"?

You can use alternatives like "not as serious as", "less severe than", or "not as critical as" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "less grave than"?

It's best to use "less grave than" when comparing two situations that both carry a degree of seriousness. If one situation is trivial, other comparative phrases might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "less grave than" and "not as serious as"?

While similar, "less grave than" may imply a deeper or more profound level of seriousness being contrasted, whereas ""not as serious as"" is a more general comparison of severity.