less great

USAGE SUMMARY

"less great" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used as an adverb to describe a diminished level of greatness. For example, "My mom's cooking used to be great, but now it's less great since she's been busy working overtime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Ten years later the differences seem much less great.

The New York Times

Inequality, bigotries and twitchiness make Britain look and feel less great than it could be.

Independent

If we had a second scene in the cafe, it would be less great.

The Guardian - Music

For the United States this will mean one less great power to worry about.

The Washington Post

If so, it will make America less safe (and less great).

The Washington Post

Regional wealth disparities in the US are no less great than they are in Europe.

The Guardian - Opinion

Getting rid of the trade deficit could very well make America less great.

The New York Times

It is a miracle that anybody had time for anything, much less great needlework.

The New York Times - Arts

The moral advantages of such a holiday are scarcely less great than the physical.

The Guardian

But "Passion" (1982) in the Lionsgate set is no less great.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Furthermore, (E[m_i^*]) greater (less) than 1 is equivalent with the after-tax risk-free rate (r_mathrm{f}^{*tau }) being less (greater) than zero.

Business Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less great" to subtly indicate a decline or deficiency without being overly critical. It's useful when acknowledging something still has value but isn't at its peak.

Common error

Avoid using "less great" excessively in formal or academic writing, as it can sound informal. Opt for more precise and sophisticated alternatives like "diminished" or "suboptimal".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less great" functions as a comparative adjective, modifying a noun to indicate a diminished degree of greatness. Ludwig examples show it being used to compare the quality of items, experiences, or even entire nations. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less great" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative adjective phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to express a reduction in quality or impact, often in a context where a complete dismissal isn't warranted. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal settings and should be used sparingly in formal academic or scientific writing. The phrase is prevalent in news and media, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples. Remember to consider alternative phrases like "not as impressive" or "somewhat inferior" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not quite as good

Emphasizes a slight decrease in overall quality.

not as impressive

Focuses on the diminished impact or admiration.

somewhat inferior

Highlights the lower quality or standard.

of diminished quality

Directly refers to a reduction in the quality aspect.

subpar

A more concise way of saying something is below the expected standard.

not up to par

Implies something doesn't meet the required or expected level.

a shadow of its former self

Indicates a significant decline from a previous, better state.

falling short

Focuses on the failure to meet a specific expectation or standard.

losing its edge

Suggests a decline in competitiveness or effectiveness.

not measuring up

Implies a failure to reach a particular standard or level.

FAQs

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

You can use "less great" to describe something that has declined in quality or impact, such as, "The sequel was good, but "less great" than the original".

What are some alternatives to saying "less great"?

Alternatives include "not as impressive", "somewhat inferior", or "not quite as good", depending on the context.

Is "less great" grammatically correct?

Yes, "less great" is grammatically correct. It uses "less" as a comparative adjective to describe a reduced level of greatness.

What is the difference between "less great" and "not great"?

"Less great" implies a comparison to a previous state or another entity that is "great", whereas "not great" simply indicates that something is not of high quality or impact without a specific comparison.