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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
less hurdle
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "less hurdle" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of reducing obstacles or difficulties, but the correct expression would typically be "fewer hurdles." Example: "We need to find a way to create fewer hurdles for our team to achieve their goals."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(5)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
3 human-written examples
It is one less hurdle for Adani's highly contested plans, after its Australian chief complained last week that delays in government approvals were "incentivising" green activists to plot further legal challenges to stymie the company's progress.
News & Media
Thanks to the McCaskill-Bond amendment, mergers that produce value and create synergies have one less hurdle to leap.
News & Media
Because the company is already registered in the federal procurement system, states have one less hurdle to overcome if they choose to work with Centrify while taking advantage of federal assistance seeking to bolster state election security.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
55 human-written examples
That standard of proof is less a hurdle than the "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard required for criminal convictions.
News & Media
But there may be a less obvious hurdle that Mr. Giuliani has to overcome: Whether he is too much of a New Yorker for the rest of the country.
News & Media
As Libya continues on its path toward a newly reborn nation, and the profound complication of state building begins, Libyans will face another, less visible hurdle; reconciling those deep-seated societal scars resulting from more than 40 years of oppression and fear.
News & Media
Only after these agonies did the Parliament Act of 1911, which subjugated the Lords to the Commons and began the erosion of the hereditary principle, become law.A century later, the heirs to the old Liberal Party face scarcely less daunting hurdles as they try to finish the job of Lords reform.
News & Media
There are less regulatory hurdles, so we will see the contract space get disrupted first".
News & Media
Back then, it was much cheaper to produce it because there were less legal hurdles, he says.
News & Media
The use of MSC-derived EV has potential advantages over the use of the cells, including the theoretical absence of risk of malignant transformation and less regulatory hurdles for clinical application, since it is a cell-free therapeutic product [ 34].
Mr. Bowser had just finished directing several "Saturday Night Live" greatest-hits episodes for NBC, so money was now less of a hurdle.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "fewer hurdles" instead of "less hurdle". "Fewer" is used for countable nouns, while "less" is for uncountable nouns. Hurdles are countable.
Common error
Avoid using "less" with countable nouns like "hurdles", "problems", or "challenges". Always use "fewer" for countable items. For example, write "fewer problems" instead of "less problems".
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "less hurdle" functions as a noun phrase, intending to describe a reduction in difficulty or obstacles. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically incorrect because "hurdle" is a countable noun, so "fewer" is the correct term.
Frequent in
News & Media
60%
Science
30%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "less hurdle" might appear in some contexts, Ludwig AI clarifies that it's grammatically incorrect. The correct expression is "fewer hurdles", as "hurdles" is a countable noun. Although examples exist, adhering to proper grammar ensures clarity and credibility in writing. Always opt for "fewer hurdles" or consider alternatives like "reduced difficulty" or "easier challenge" for more precise communication. Remember, choosing the correct word demonstrates attention to detail and strengthens the overall impact of your message.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
fewer obstacles
Emphasizes multiple discrete barriers rather than a single, continuous one; corrects the grammar error.
reduced difficulty
Focuses on the level of difficulty being lower, rather than the hurdle itself.
easier challenge
Replaces "hurdle" with "challenge" to offer a slightly different nuance.
minimized barrier
Highlights the act of minimizing the barrier, suggesting active reduction.
alleviated impediment
Uses more formal vocabulary to convey the easing of an obstacle.
less of an issue
Shifts the focus from a specific obstacle to a general problem.
fewer complications
Refers to a lower number of complex factors or difficulties.
diminished setback
Indicates that the obstacle is reduced in its negative impact.
smaller impediment
Emphasizes that the obstruction is not so big anymore.
lighter burden
Metaphorically describes the obstacle as a weight that has been reduced.
FAQs
What is the correct way to say "less hurdle"?
The correct way to express this idea is to use "fewer hurdles". "Fewer" is used with countable nouns, while "less" is used with uncountable nouns.
When should I use "fewer" instead of "less"?
"Fewer" should be used with countable nouns (things you can count individually), such as hurdles, problems, or people. "Less" should be used with uncountable nouns (things you can't count individually), such as water, time, or effort.
What are some alternatives to saying "less hurdle"?
Instead of "less hurdle", you can say "fewer obstacles", "reduced difficulty", or "easier challenge" depending on the specific context.
Is "less of a hurdle" grammatically correct?
Yes, "less of a hurdle" is grammatically correct. In this case, you are referring to the degree or extent to which something is a hurdle, rather than the hurdle itself being countable. For example: "Money was now "less of a hurdle"."
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested